Auburn Tigers Secure Commitment From One of the Best EDGEs

© Gary Cosby Jr./USA TODAY NETWORK

Five-star edge rusher Jared Smith has committed to play for the Auburn Tigers. Rated by 247Sports as the No. 19 prospect overall and the No. 2 EDGE in the 2025 cycle, Smith is from Hoover, Ala. He chose the Tigers over Georgia, Ole Miss, South Carolina and other top programs.

Assistant coaches Josh Aldridge and DJ Durkin were the primary recruiters responsible for securing Smith's commitment.

Scouting Jared Smith

An extraordinary athlete, Smith stands 6-foot-6½ and weighs 235 pounds. He has a wingspan of nearly 82 inches and 35½-inch arms. His feet are enormous; he wears size 18 shoes. In the words of 247Sports, his "[h]ulking frame tends to just overwhelm opposing offensive tackles as he wills his way into the backfield" at the high school level.

He "[e]xhibits good foot and body quickness for his size, showing the ability to bend the edge and win with a combination of quickness and athleticism off the line of scrimmage." He has "all the physical characteristics collegiate programs and NFL organizations seek at the defensive line ... or edge position." He has recorded an impressive 110-inch broad jump, demonstrating a genuine burst. Scouts project him as a multi-year starter at the Power Four level and an eventual Day-1 or Day-2 NFL Draft selection.

Smith played his freshman and sophomore years at Spain Park High School in his hometown. In 2021, he made 7 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, in 4 games. His sophomore season was highlighted by a game in which he had 4.5 quarterback sacks. During his junior year, he transferred to Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala.

He also plays basketball in high school and has been on a member of teams that made deep playoff runs in state tournaments.

Auburn Tigers on the Rise

Smith's commitment elevates the ranking of Auburn's 2025 class to the No. 6 position nationally and the No. 4 position in the Southeastern Conference in On3's industry comparison. He is the top-rated pledge in the Tigers' class. Head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff are excelling on the recruiting trail.

Smith inked an NIL deal valued at $230,000, becoming the fourth member of the Tigers' 2025 class with an NIL deal valued at over $200,000.

The future looks bright on The Plains.

Stay tuned to College Football Dawgs for continued reporting on the Auburn Tigers and other exciting college football news.