Alabama Football: Comparing UA and AU classes on Signing Period Eve

On the eve of the Early Signing Period, Alabama Football and the Auburn Tigers are traversing different recruiting terrains.

A couple of years ago, even some stalwart Auburn fans thought recruiting success after Gus Malzahn was sure to improve. Bryan Harsin proved that premise false. Only a few days into the Hugh Freeze era in Auburn, the former Ole Miss and Liberty coach has made minimal impact.

Auburn needs to sign a top quarterback. A recent offer made by Freeze must have brought pause to Auburn fans. The offer went to 3-Star, Hank Brown. Based on the 247Sports Composite, Brown is the No. 69 rated QB in the 2023 class and the No. 1,363 player overall. Trying to gain Brown’s signature, Freeze is battling UAB, Liberty, Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky.

In an appropriate response, Alabama football fans are roaring with laughter over Hank Brown being Auburn’s next ‘Heisman’ contender. Weeks before, Brock Glenn, an FSU commit and the No. 28 QB was being hyped by Aubies as a potential Heisman finalist.

Alabama Football vs. Auburn Recruiting Comparison

Note: All the player ranking ratings below are from the 247Sports Composite

• Alabama Football has college football’s No. 1 class of verbal commits. Auburn is No. 26 nationally and No. 9 among SEC teams
• At Quarterback, Alabama Football has Two 4-Stars; Eli Holstein, No. 9 QB and No. 74 player overall and Dylan Lonergan, No. 11 QB and No. 140 overall. Auburn has 3-Star, Keyone Jenkins, No. 84 QB and No. 1,568 player overall.
• At Running Back, the Crimson Tide has 5-Star, Justice Haynes, No. 3 RB and No. 25 overall and 4-Star, Richard Young, No. 4 RB and No. 48 overall. Auburn has 4-Star, Jeremiah Cobb, No. 7 RB and No. 155 overall.
• At Wide Receiver, Alabama has 4-Star, Jalen Hale, No. 7 WR and No. 40 overall; 4-Star, JUCO, Malik Benson, No. 1 JUCO WR and No. 1 JUCO player overall; 4-Star, Jaren Hamilton, No. 39 WR and No. 286 overall and 4-Star, Cole Adams, No. 42 WR and No. 305 overall. Auburn has 4-Star, Daquayvious Sorey, No. 7 WR and No. 155 overall
• At Offensive Line, Alabama has 4-Star, Wilkin Formby, No. 8 OT and No. 77 overall; 4-Star, Olaus Alinen, No. 15 OT and No. 189 overall; 4-Star, Miles McVay, No. 18 OT and No. 200 overall and 4-Star, RyQuese McElderry, No. 23 IOL and No. 373 overall. Auburn has 4-Star, Clay Wedin, No. 28 IOL and No. 412 overall; 3-Star, Bradyn Joiner, No. 33 IOL and No. 471 overall; 3-Star, Connor Law, No. 38 IOL and No. 513 overall and 3-Star, Tyler Johnson, No. 53 OT and No. 687 overall
• At Tight End, Alabama has 4-Star, Ty Lockwood. Auburn has no tight end commits
• At Defensive Line, Alabama has 4-Star, Jordan Renaud, No, 7 DL and No 62 overall.4-Star, Hunter Osborne, No. 17 DL and No. 144 overall and 4-Star, Edric Hill, No. 24 DL and No. 180 overall. Auburn has 4-Star, Darron Reed, No. 26 DL and No. 188 overall; 4-Star, Wilky Denaud, No. 48 DL and No. 397 overall and 3-Star, Stephen Johnson, No. 148 DL and No. 1,353 overall
• At Linebacker, Alabama has 5-Star, Keon Keeley, No. 1 Edge and No. 10 overall; 4-Star, Yhonzae Pierre, No. 8 Edge and No. 59 overall; 4-Star, Justin Jefferson, No. 1 JUCO LB and No. 2 JUCO player overall. Auburn has 3-Star, Brenton Williams, No. 92 Edge and No. 960 overall
• Defensive Backfield players, Alabama has 5-Star, Caleb Downs, No. 1 Safety and No. 6 overall; 4-Star, Jahlil Hurley, No. 3 CB and No. 38 overall; 4-Star, Tony Mitchell, No. 5 Safety and No. 54 overall and 4-Star, Brayson Hubbard, No. 15 Safety and No. 334 overall. Auburn has 4-Star, Sylvester Smith, No. 17 Safety and No. 222 overall; 4-Star, Terrance Love, No. 24 Safety and No. 275 overall; 3-Star, Colton Hood, No. 55 CB and No. 528 overall and 3-Star, JC Hart, No. 68 CB and No. 678 overall
• Alabama Football also has the No. 3 Placekicker, Conor Talty

No amount of sugar-coating by Auburn fans can cover up the failure Auburn football recruiting has become. The downward progression began under Gus Malzahn and has worsened.