The Auburn Tigers have been experiencing plenty of positive momentum on the recruiting trail, a stark contrast to the struggles of the Bryan Harsin era. Under Hugh Freeze, the program has quickly repaired its reputation and returned to the upper echelon of college football recruiting.
Freeze recently secured the sixth-ranked recruiting class for 2025, and the staff is already building a strong foundation for 2026 with several highly-rated prospects committed. This week, Auburn fans received even more good news as the Tigers appear to be firmly in the race to land a talented running back prospect this summer.
Ezavier Crowell, Four-Star Running Back
Ezavier Crowell, a top in-state target, has been on Auburn’s radar for quite some time. Playing high school football just a few hours away, Crowell is considered one of the top running back prospects in the country.
This week, Crowell revealed his final six schools, and Auburn made the list.
Crowell has put up staggering numbers, surpassing 2,000 yards from scrimmage in back-to-back seasons while scoring over 60 total touchdowns. Originally part of the 2027 recruiting class, Crowell reclassified to 2026, accelerating his timeline and prompting a flurry of interest from top programs eager to secure his commitment.
Auburn is one of just four schools to secure an official visit with Crowell this summer, alongside Texas, Florida State, and Alabama. Though his top six also includes Georgia and Ohio State, it appears those four programs are his primary focus.
Both Auburn and Alabama have hosted Crowell multiple times since his sophomore year, fueling speculation that he could stay close to home. If the final decision comes down to the two in-state programs, Auburn could have a real shot at landing him.
Alabama has a strong tradition of producing NFL-caliber running backs, but with Nick Saban’s departure and a challenging first year under Kalen DeBoer, the balance may be shifting. The Crimson Tide recently lost standout running back Justice Haynes to Michigan via the transfer portal after a season where Alabama’s rushing attack ranked just 50th in the nation in yards per carry.
On the other hand, Auburn leaned heavily on running back Jarquez Hunter last season, giving him over 200 combined carries and receptions at an impressive 6.5 yards per touch — likely sending him to the 2025 NFL Draft. Auburn is expected to rotate between Damari Alston, Jeremiah Cobb, transfer Durell Robinson, and freshman Alvin Henderson this season, but by 2026, the Tigers could be searching for their next workhorse back.
Auburn’s staff will need to keep working to secure Crowell’s commitment and fend off competition from Alabama, Texas, and Georgia. Winning these types of recruiting battles will be critical for Auburn to return to competing for SEC championships.