Jared Smith, No. 28, 2025 ESPN 300, committed to Auburn

Auburn continued its hot recruiting streak Saturday night with a commitment from four-star in-state defensive end Jared Smith, No. 28 in the 2025 ESPN 300.

Smith, a 6-foot-7, 235-pound edge rusher from Alabaster, Alabama, marks the Tigers’ eighth commitment across the 2025 and 2026 classes since the program’s Big Cat Weekend began on July 27. Carolina, Ole Miss, Georgia, Florida State and USC, and landed with the Tigers as the second-ranked member of Hugh Freeze’s incoming class behind four-star cornerback Blake Woodby in the 2025 ESPN 300.

Smith told ESPN that his list of finalists was narrowed down to Saturday’s commitment to Auburn, Ole Miss and South Carolina. Choosing from a list of top programs, Smith pointed to the proximity to home and the strength of the Tigers’ on-campus recruiting events as the pulls that secured his Auburn commitment last weekend.

“It’s great to see all the guys commit,” Smith said. “Seeing all those guys having fun. Talking to the players. It was really cool. Just having that energy and that culture — it really stood out to me.”

With his commitment, Smith becomes the fifth addition in the last seven days to the nation’s 14th-ranked recruiting class, according to ESPN.

Woodby, the third-ranked cornerback in the 2025 class, made his pledge to the Tigers during last weekend’s visit to Auburn. The Tigers followed Woodby’s commitment by flipping a pair of Alabama commitments, securing commitments from former Crimson Tide commitments Derrick Smith and Antonio Coleman. On Monday, Auburn committed to the four-star safety from the Ancona Fegans (No. 36 on ESPN), Smith’s teammate at Alabaster Thompson High School.

After Smith’s announcement Saturday night, Auburn is now up to 13 ESPN 300 commits in the 2025 cycle.

The Tigers’ recent momentum also carries over to the 2026 class as three 2026 prospects made their pledges to the program last weekend, headlined by four-star defensive end Hezekiah Harris (No. 51 on ESPN Jr. 300) and outside linebacker JaMichael Garrett (No. 123) and inside linebacker Shadarius Toodle ( No. 150).

Smith began his high school career at Spain High School in Hoover, Alabama before transferring to Thompson. He carries elite length and quickness off the edge, and Smith looked to Auburn, encouraged by the approach of Tigers defensive coordinator DJ Durkin and defensive ends coach Josh Aldridge.

“They see me as a true pass rusher,” Smith said. “First, second and third down. I’m going to be that guy.”

With Smith’s commitment, Auburn is now up to six top-100 commitments in 2025, including five defensemen in Woodby, Smith, Fagans, safety Eric Winters (No. 85 in the ESPN 300) and defensive tackle Jordyn Crawford (No. 91). . , quickly climbing as the most popular program on the recruiting trail for the 2025 cycle.