Auburn’s recruiting struggles in the 2026 cycle have been well-documented, but Hugh Freeze and Co. are picking up some momentum amidst a 2-0 start this season.
As the Tigers look to flip a slew of top senior targets this fall, they’re also looking to make some early splashes in the 2027 cycle. According to the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine, an elite junior is trending toward The Plains.
Advertisement
Hueytown (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Donivan Moore was back on campus for Auburn’s win over Ball State last weekend. Coming out of that trip, Auburn recruiting insiders Jeffrey Lee and Cole Pinkston, as well as Rivals national insider Steve Wiltfong, have all logged picks in favor of the Tigers keeping Moore home.
“This weekend was great,” Moore told Wiltfong after the visit. “The vibes around the program were crazy. It was just electric and what excites (about) the opportunity is just having them at number one on my list and that I feel comfortable every time I go to a game or for a visit or even when I just go up to the city. I just feel love. It’s feel like a home away from home!”
Rivals ranks Moore as the No. 18 overall prospect, No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 1 player in Alabama. According to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies, he ranks No. 43 nationally in the junior class.
Auburn after more in-state recruiting success
Moore is scheduled to visit Tennessee this weekend for its massive tilt against Georgia. The Vols will have a chance to wrangle some of Auburn’s momentum toward Rocky Top, though the 6-foot-4, 280-pounder was close to pulling the trigger on a pledge to the Tigers, according to Rivals’ Chad Simmons.
Advertisement
“Auburn always feels like home for me,” Moore said. “The coaches are great. I like the atmosphere a lot too. It is always great when I am there.”
The last time Auburn signed the No. 1 player in Alabama — per the Rivals Industry Ranking — was the 2024 cycle, when it flipped Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Cam Coleman from Texas A&M. Before Coleman, five-star running back Kerryon Johnson (2015) was the last No. 1 player in the state to sign with AU.
Auburn currently has one commit in its 2027 class in Mobile (Ala.) Williamson four-star safety Jaylen Scott, a top-200 overall prospect and the No. 5 junior in the state. The Tigers’ 2026 class features just one in-state pledge to date in Wadley four-star EDGE Jaquez Wilkes.
