The intensity of the Auburn-Alabama rivalry is arguably unmatched in college football, and nowhere is this more evident than on the recruiting trail. For years, the scales seemed perpetually tipped in favor of the Crimson Tide, particularly during the dominant Nick Saban era. However, under the leadership of head coach Hugh Freeze, Auburn’s increasing strength and undeniable appeal in luring elite talent have made it a major contender, shifting the recruiting game and sending clear signals to its primary foe that the battle for supremacy is now fiercely contested.
Hugh Freeze’s arrival at Auburn in late 2022 immediately injected a fresh surge of energy into the program, particularly in recruiting. He inherited a roster that needed significant overhaul and quickly set about revitalizing the talent pipeline. While his first two seasons on the field (6-7 in 2023 and 5-7 in 2024, as per recent reports) haven’t yet yielded the desired win-loss records, his impact on recruiting has been profound and undeniable. This is where Auburn’s increasing strength and appeal truly shine.
One of the most striking indicators of Auburn’s renewed recruiting prowess is its ability to not just compete with, but often win head-to-head battles against Alabama for elite in-state talent. Historically, the Crimson Tide held a near-monopoly on the top prospects within Alabama’s borders. However, Freeze and his staff have prioritized “winning the state,” and their efforts are bearing fruit. The 2025 recruiting class, for instance, saw Auburn sign eight of the top 10 players from the state of Alabama, a program record since 247Sports began tracking recruiting in 1999. This is a stark contrast to the previous 13 recruiting classes before Freeze, where Auburn averaged signing just 2.46 top-10 in-state players per class.
Key examples highlight this shift. Highly-rated defensive linemen like Malik Autry (five-star, Opelika, AL), who remained loyal despite relentless pursuit from other programs, and Jared Smith (five-star edge, Thompson, AL), a top-ranked defensive line prospect, chose the Plains over Tuscaloosa.1 Four-star safety Anquon Fegans (Thompson, AL), a key defensive back, also committed to Auburn, as did other formidable defensive talents like four-star linebacker Jakaleb “JJ” Faulk, and four-star defensive linemen Jourdin Crawford and Antonio Coleman.2 These are players whom Alabama actively recruited and would have loved to have in their locker room. The ability of Auburn to secure a significant majority of the top in-state defensive players is a testament to the relationships Freeze and his staff are building.
This isn’t just about in-state talent. Auburn is also expanding its reach and competing nationally. While the overall class rankings can fluctuate, Auburn’s 2025 class consistently ranked in the top 10 or top 15 nationally across various recruiting services, with some sources putting them as high as No. 8. This indicates a consistent ability to attract blue-chip prospects from beyond Alabama’s borders, demonstrating a broader appeal.
Several factors contribute to Auburn’s surging recruiting strength:
- Hugh Freeze’s Charisma and Relatability: Freeze is known for his ability to connect with recruits and their families on a personal level. He builds strong relationships and sells a compelling vision for their development, both on and off the field. This personal touch is a significant differentiator in a recruiting landscape that can often feel transactional.
- A Clear Program Vision: Freeze has been very clear about his plan to rebuild Auburn, emphasizing a blend of high school development and strategic use of the transfer portal. While he initially stated a desire to build primarily through high school recruits, he has adapted to the modern landscape, actively utilizing the portal to address immediate needs. The acquisition of Jackson Arnold, a former Gatorade Player of the Year and transfer quarterback from Oklahoma, demonstrates Auburn’s ability to attract proven talent with immediate impact potential.3 This offers a different appeal than solely focusing on high school development.
- Renewed NIL Strategy (On To Victory Collective): In the NIL era, competitive compensation is crucial. Auburn’s “On To Victory” collective has become a vital component of their recruiting strategy, ensuring that the Tigers can compete financially for top talent. While Freeze maintains that Auburn isn’t “crazy” with NIL, they are competitive and transparent, which helps to level the playing field against programs with seemingly unlimited resources.
- The “Family” and Culture Sell: Auburn traditionally prides itself on being a close-knit, family-oriented program. Freeze has leaned into this, emphasizing the unique culture and environment of the Plains. Many recruits and their families are drawn to this sense of community and genuine care.
- Defensive Staff Continuity and Prowess: The defensive recruiting has been particularly strong. The consistency of the defensive staff, and their proven track record of developing NFL-level talent, appeals to top defensive prospects. The fact that seven of Auburn’s eight top-10 in-state signees for 2025 were defensive additions speaks volumes about this strength.
The implications of Auburn’s heightened recruiting success are significant for the rivalry. For Alabama, under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, the landscape is unequivocally more challenging. While DeBoer has largely maintained Alabama’s elite recruiting prowess, the days of near-automatic dominance in the state and easy wins in head-to-head battles are seemingly over. The Crimson Tide now faces a much more formidable and consistent threat from their arch-rival. Every top in-state prospect becomes an intense battle, and Auburn has proven it can come out on top.
This intensifying recruiting war ultimately benefits college football as a whole, creating more parity and more exciting storylines. For Auburn fans, it signals a renewed era of optimism, a belief that the Tigers are not just competitive, but are actively building a roster capable of challenging for SEC and national championships. The days of consistently looking up at their primary foe in recruiting rankings are becoming a thing of the past. Auburn’s increasing strength and appeal in luring elite talent have indeed made it a major contender, transforming the rivalry and setting the stage for even more thrilling clashes, both on the field and on the recruiting trail.
