Around The SEC: 4-Star DL Malik Blocton Commits SEC Commitment

Malik Blocton will stay close to home to play out his college career.

The Pike Road, Alabama native has decided to play his college career just an hour away from his hometown in Auburn. First-year head coach Hugh Freeze will need to continue to recruit well in-state if he wants to turn around his newly inherited program. 

Blocton is a blue-chip prospect who currently holds a total of 37 offers including ones from Alabama, Texas, and Clemson. A lot of the recruiting process with any given prospect relies on connections along with ties to your school and the it is clear Tigers had plenty here as an in-state program of note.

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Blocton is the younger brother of current Auburn defensive lineman Marcus Harris, which had significant influence on his ultimate decision.

The recruiting style of new Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff also had an impact.

"It’s been very beneficial because when Coach (Bryan) Harsin was at Auburn I never had a sitdown meeting with him," Blocton said in an interview with 247Sports. 

"Coach Freeze made it a priority that he sat down and talked to me," Blocton said. "Me and Coach Garrett, we’ve been locked in and been knowing each other. I feel like he’s one of the best coaches in the country. He’s not one of those crazy coaches that’ll get all in your face do all that ra-ra stuff, he’s more of a laidback coach that’ll teach you the game and he really knows what he’s talking about."

It will be interesting to watch how Blocton's career plays out at the next level as he heads to The Plains.