Big Cat Weekend: Top Targets and Commit Watch
Fresh off the heels of its first five-star commitment in four years, the Auburn football coaching staff looks to keep it rolling on the recruiting trail. The momentum is much needed, as this weekend will be one of the biggest recruiting weekends in the country. At least that is what the Tigers want as there are over 30 blue-chip prospects in attendance over the 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes.
The top players that are attending in the 2024 class are without a doubt, five-star KJ Bolden, five-star Auburn commit Demarcus Riddick, four-star Deandre Carter, four-star Bradley Shaw, and last but not least four-star Jalewis Solomon. All are blue chips and all are being heavily pursued by this staff.
KJ Bolden is one of the best players in the country, ranked in the top ten in the nation, and by far the best safety in the country, it is easy to see why he is the Tiger's number one prospect. The six-foot-one 190-pounder is an electric player and watching his tape for five minutes proves that. The ability to hit hard and be able to have the range to cover the entire field makes him an elite potential pickup for an already above-average Auburn secondary. Bolden visits the plains and the following week will make a commitment decision on August 5th.
Riddick, who was covered extensively this week due to his commitment will make his first visit as an Auburn Tiger on Saturday. More on Riddick and his decision can be found here.
One of the only big boys visiting Deandre Carter and his presence has become OL Coach Jake Thorntons' top priority. Carter, who is from Mater Dei in Southern California will make the trip of over 2,000 miles to be in attendance. Ben Aiguamua has been the key to this recruitment with his west coast ties. A commitment for Carter has not been decided.
Hoover has a representative in the form of Bradley Shaw. Shaw is a target missile for the ball, he always seems to blow up plays by being right where the ball goes. With Riddick and Phillips in the linebacker room already, will Shaw end up being the final piece for a big position of need? Time will tell for the six-foot-one 215-pound four-star.
Family ties are impactful in the recruitment of Jalewis Solomon, as he has a brother on campus at Auburn and another that is a 2025 elite prospect. Zykevious and Zayden Walker are their names and Zeke especially has made an impact in this recruitment. Solomon, like Bolden, is making his decision on August 5th, and it is down to Auburn and South Carolina. This visit will act as a last stand to show off the university his brother chose 4 years ago. Solomon is a rangy and effective cornerback but also has down some impressive skills as a wide receiver.
Finally, there are two players who could pop and commit to the Tigers on their visits this weekend. Reese Baker, an offensive lineman who is unranked but Auburn sees potential, and highly touted five-star wideout, Perry Thompson.
Baker, whose biggest offer is from Auburn has been to Auburn only two times on a visit. There are many that believe it will be the third time the charm for the Madison Academy lineman. Baker is a rough prospect but he has the frame for development, at six-foot-five and 275 pounds there's plenty for OL Coach Jake Thornton to work with.
Every fan should know who Perry Thompson is by now, regarded as the best wide receiver in the state and labeled as the "next Julio Jones" Alabama took notice and got him to commit early. Throughout the past year, Auburn has tried to flip the script and it looks like it has worked so far. Thompson will commit the 29th and picked Big Cat Weekend over the Tide's backyard barbecue.
The times are changing or at least that's what the staff has been saying. Time will tell but as for now the Tigers are hot and look to get even hotter.
