Auburn’s 2026 recruiting class received a significant boost on Sunday as four-star wide receiver Brady Marchese announced his commitment to the Tigers following his release from a previously signed National Letter of Intent with Michigan.
Marchese, a standout pass catcher from Cartersville High School in Georgia, originally signed with Michigan during the Early Signing Period after flipping his commitment from Georgia. At the time, he chose the Wolverines over the Bulldogs and a long list of other Power Five programs, giving Michigan a major win on the recruiting trail.
However, Marchese’s recruitment reopened after a dramatic turn of events in Ann Arbor. Roughly one week after the Early Signing Period, Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore was fired for cause following an internal investigation that determined he had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a university staff member. Later that same day, the situation escalated further when Moore was arrested on assault allegations. In the wake of Moore’s dismissal, Michigan granted releases from NLIs to several signees, including Marchese.
With his recruitment reopened, Marchese quickly emerged as a top target for Auburn’s new coaching staff. He ultimately committed to first-year head coach Alex Golesh, giving the Tigers another high-upside weapon to pair with fellow receivers Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr.
Marchese is rated as the No. 20 wide receiver nationally in the 2026 class and is widely regarded for his combination of size, route-running ability, and playmaking skills. His commitment marks Auburn’s 20th signee in Golesh’s inaugural recruiting class, a group that continues to gain momentum as the Tigers look to rebuild their roster with young talent.
With Marchese now on board, Auburn climbed to No. 34 in the On3 team recruiting rankings. His addition further signals Auburn’s intent to reestablish itself as a destination for elite offensive talent as Golesh begins shaping the program in his image.