Auburn’s DL and OL Recruiting Looks Fantastic ‘On the Hoof’

Examining the offensive and defensive line recruits Hugh Freeze and the Tigers are signing

Author:
Brian Smith
Publish date:
Nov 29, 2023 11:29 AM EST

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For Auburn Tigers football fans, the saying “On the hoof” is a phrase you need to know if it’s not already a part of your vocabulary. Why?

Because the look test for the prospects that Hugh Freeze and his entire coaching staff brought in for the Iron Bowl is much different than what’s been making unofficial and official visits to the Plains. Allow me to explain, starting with a prime example.

It’s one thing to be blessed by having reached 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds. It’s quite another to be a junior in high school and look like Auburn’s 2025 defensive line commitment Malik Autry did this past Saturday. Take a look at the photo I took of Autry prior to kickoff:

2025 defensive tackle Opelika (Ala.) High School — Malik Autry, Iron Bowl
Brian Smith/Auburn Daily

Yes, technique, effort, and play-calling impact games. At the end of the day, it’s still primarily the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s that decide the final outcome more than anything else. That’s the essence of “On the hoof.”

Here’s another key point.

I was taking photos during the Iron Bowl right in front of the AU student section and underneath the goalpost. When either team drove into the red zone, it was a great chance to measure Auburn’s size against Bama’s size. A few notes.

There’s no JC Latham on Auburn’s offensive line (few college football teams have an offensive tackle as imposing as Latham), but Auburn’s offseason efforts in the Transfer Portal combined with several former prep and junior college prospects being coached up showed promise; so did Auburn’s 244 yards rushing against the Tide.

Here's a podcast that I joined Locked On Auburn host Zac Blackerby discussing the Auburn recruits during the Iron Bowl:

That’s also where I am excited for Auburn’s future, and Tigers fans should be as well, with the offensive line recruits heading to Auburn. They're heading towards having defensive and offensive lines similar to Alabama and Georgia.

While AU fans probably do not know much about 2025 commitment Spencer Dowland, he’s another sturdy 6-foot-6 frame heading to the Plains. The future Auburn offensive tackle is already 290 pounds and he’s honestly lean.

315, perhaps even 325 pounds, yes, Dowland can reach those measurements if the strength and conditioning staff prefers he gains that much. Then, there’s the behemoth.

One cannot completely define 2024 Auburn offensive line recruit DeAndre Carter without actually having a face-to-face conversation. While an extremely positive and happy young man, he’s not one a person should tick off. He looked about 300-to-310 pounds to me. I was wrong.

“I’m probably about 340 pounds right now,” Carter said with a smile. Trust me, that’s a well-put-together 340 as Carter’s chest is huge, and his high school film at Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei is incredible.

Here’s a picture of Carter with Dowland in the background:

DeAndre Carter (center) and Spencer Dowland (left), Iron Bowl
Brian Smith/Auburn Daily

I would be remiss if there was no discussion about Malik Blocton. The Pike Road (Ala.) High School defensive lineman is a unique player with his ability to play outside or inside despite being 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds.

Blocton let it be known that Auburn’s coaches expect him to be a defensive tackle, long-term. That being said, the frame of Blocton is rangy despite the obvious girth. I think he could play 5-technique – at least in short-yardage situations – for Auburn. Do not take my word for it, however.

Elite 2025 wide receiver recruit Ryan Williams told me after the Iron Bowl that his Saraland (Ala.) High School squad hosts Blocton and Pike Road in their next game. I then told Williams to stay far away from Blocton, half kidding (but not really). Williams was in agreement.

"We're going to put, three, maybe four guys on him," Williams said with a laugh. You can read more about Williams' recruitment, along with Auburn's must-get 2024 wide receiver prospect Cam Coleman as well, right here.

Here’s Blocton at the Iron Bowl:

Malik Blocton, Iron Bowl
Brian Smith/Auburn Daily

Auburn’s football team is already pretty good in the trenches, and it’s about to get much better. Seeing Auburn's recruits “On the hoof” proved that point.