Auburn has had well documented struggles on the 2023 recruiting trail. But despite battling negative recruiting and an unfair external perception, things are looking up. In the last two weeks, The Tigers have added four-star rusher Wilky Denaud. Then, at Big Cat Weekend, they lured in two commits for the 2024 season. And a few days later, Ashley Williams decommitted from Nebraska and picked The Plains as his future home. With some momentum, Bryan Harsin and his staff aren’t resting on their laurels. Far from it…
The Tigers have not been shy in pursuing talent that has already committed elsewhere. Williams was the first to change allegiance, but he’s far from the last Auburn is targeting. Bo Hughley, the 4-star offensive lineman currently committed to Georgia, is high on their wishlist. Hughley also attended Big Cat Weekend, and is heavily tipped to flip to The Tigers before National Signing Day. And now, AU has another prospect in their sights – another currently declared for an SEC Rival.
Alex Sanford, a 3-star linebacker prospect out of Oxford, Mississippi, is high on Harsin’s wishlist. At 6’3” and 240lbs, Sanford brings the size and physicality that the Tigers coaching staff covet. By all accounts, Linebackers Coach Christian Robinson is enamored with the tackling machine, and has been tasked with leading the recruiting charge. And it might just be that his hard work is starting to pay dividends.
Robbing A Rival
The problem? Sanford is already committed to Arkansas. He chose his future home back in June, and until now has been considered a hard commit for The Razorbacks. The #63 linebacker in the class – and #15 recruit in Mississippi – has ten scholarship offers. Yet the only official visit he’s taken is to Fayetteville. That is, until now…
Sanford has confirmed he intends to make an official visit to Jordan-Hare on October 29th. This comes on the back of being offered a scholarship by Harsin last week. And in a delicious dose of irony, the date he comes to campus is when The Tigers host the Razorbacks.
Where there was once little hope of flipping Sanford, now there appears an opportunity. In an interview with Auburn Live, Sanford admitted he’s honored to be recruited by Auburn. And he’s excited to head to The Plains in the Fall:
“If my mind so happens to change, then it will change. Right now I’m committed, but I do want to see what Auburn has to offer.”
Flipping Sanford would be further evidence that the coaching staff are resonating with recruits. It’s been tough sledding in the early part of this recruiting cycle, with just six names committed so far. But every commit is a four-star prospect, and have bought in to what this program is selling. Adding Sanford would not only add more physicality to the defense, but also rob a division rival. Auburn has the opportunity to get off to a hot start in 2023, which will aid their recruiting cause. Tigers fans have had to bide their time this cycle, but there’s every chance their patience is about to be rewarded. WDE!