Auburn Commitment Kendarius Reddick Explains Why He Picked the Tigers

No question, the Auburn Tigers have been trending with their 2024 recruiting class. Do not sleep on the 2025 Auburn class that the Tigers have been putting together either. Kendarius Reddick has been and continues to be a major part of that 2025 class.

The 5-foot-11 and 180-pound defensive back hails from Thomasville (Ga.) Thomasville (GA.) Thomas County Central. It’s a program that’s loaded with tradition. Once again, it has shown a roster full of future college players (see more names at the bottom of this article) in addition to Reddick.

He made his commitment to Hugh Freeze and the Tigers this past Oct. 19. During yesterday’s practice, Reddick took a few minutes to discuss the reasons for selecting Auburn.

“I know I keep saying it, but Auburn kind of reminds me of (Thomas County) Central,” Reddick said with a smile. “How tight everything is (between players and coaches). Coach (Hugh) Freeze kept it real ever since I first met him.

“Once you keep it real both ways, you can build a good connection.”

As for Freeze’s personality, Reddick offered some insight.

“Cool, he’s real cool. Really cool, especially when I was about to commit. He didn’t know I was going to commit, we were just talking. We were just talking and having conversations about life. Really great guy.

“And then, when I told him I was going to commit, he was excited.”

As for making the decision to select the Auburn football program, Reddick liked the specific qualities it offered.

“The second time I went (to Auburn is when I knew. (That was) because I went my eighth-grade year (the first time).

“The second time, I got to know all the (Auburn) coaches (and players) and saw how they practiced, and how they moved. I pictured myself getting dressed and going to practice there.”

His comfort with being a part of the Auburn family was a primary factor for eventually becoming a Tiger. Reddick was not, however, worried about the depth chart.

“I knew wherever I went that I was going to have to work. But, I wasn’t too worried about the playing time because I’m going to compete for a spot. I’m not going for no reason!”

There’s another reason he decided to pick Auburn, and that’s distance from Thomasville. It’s less than three hours up to Auburn and that definitely played a role.

“Yeah, I wanted to stay close to home. It played a little bit of a role. (The drive), it’s really just right down the road. It’s driving distance from my family at least.”

After Reddick reaches the Plains, the Tigers coaching staff has a plan for him.

“I’m a dog. You can put me wherever you put me at because I make plays. They recruited me as a nickel though.”

As for Reddick’s role with Thomas County Central’s football team, he was happy to define it.

“Safety, the strong safety. The way we work it, like, certain formations can put me in the box.” Being accustomed to playing near the line of scrimmage will help Reddick play the nickel spot as well, as it replaces a traditional outside linebacker on the field.

Prior to arriving at Auburn, Reddick chimed in about how he can improve.

“Getting out of breaks faster. My footwork, I feel like, I can improve on that. Wrapping up, wrapping up better; I feel I can be more aggressive when I tackle.”

On the flip side, Reddick defined what he believed to be his greatest strength as a football player.

“Tracking the ball down,” Reddick said without hesitation.

As for the point about Thomas County Central being a program loading up with talent, here are a few, among many prospects, college coaches have or should be tracking.

Trey Brenton, Running Back, 2024

Ty Brown, Offensive Line, 2024

Tywon Christopher, Linebacker, 2024

Jimmy Dawson, Linebacker, 2024

Devin Ross, Cornerback, 2024

Walter Reddick, Edge, 2024

Malachi Thomas, Tight End, 2024

Anthony Clark, Running Back, 2025

Lavar Madison, Defensive Tackle, 2025

Camron Brooks, Edge, 2026

Trevon Pringle, Wide Receiver, 2026

Dannell Jester, Cornerback, 2026

Omari Stephenson, Safety, 2026

Jermaine Dennis, Wide Receiver, 2026

Jalen Johnson, Quarterback, 2026

The Thomas County Central eighth-grade and ninth-grade talent will also be prospects college coaches should watch.

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