Change has become the defining theme for Auburn football, and the Tigers are hoping a fresh start on the recruiting trail can help reverse years of frustration. After another disappointing season and a midyear coaching shakeup, Auburn entered the offseason searching for stability, direction and long-term answers. The program wasted little time turning the page, entrusting its future to a new head coach with a reputation for offensive innovation and player development. Now, as the Tigers begin building toward the future, early recruiting battles—especially at key positions like running back—are already shaping the narrative of Auburn’s next chapter.
The 2025 season was a difficult one for the Auburn Tigers, who finished 5–7 and recorded their fifth consecutive losing campaign. Midway through the year, head coach Hugh Freeze was dismissed, with D.J. Durkin stepping in as the interim replacement.
Following the season, Auburn moved swiftly to reshape the program, hiring former South Florida head coach Alex Golesh. As Golesh settles into his first offseason on the Plains, he and his staff have begun laying the groundwork for the 2027 recruiting cycle.
With just one commitment secured so far, Auburn is actively pursuing several top prospects, including Baton Rouge native Jayden Miles. The four-star running back checks in at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds and is ranked as the No. 13 running back and No. 215 overall player in the country according to the Rivals Industry Rankings.
Miles is one of the most sought-after backs in his class, holding offers from LSU, Houston, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Texas Tech. Auburn has been heavily involved in his recruitment, with Miles previously telling Rivals that the Tigers were among the programs pushing hardest for his commitment. He also made an unofficial visit to Auburn on Nov. 29.
Despite that momentum, recent indicators suggest Auburn may be on the outside looking in. Rivals recruiting analyst Shea Dixon submitted an expert prediction projecting Miles to commit to LSU. Dixon has been accurate on 87.5 percent of his 104 career predictions.
While missing out on Miles would be a setback, Auburn still has viable alternatives on its recruiting board. One such option is four-star running back Quinterrius Gipson. Auburn has already extended an offer, and the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine currently gives the Tigers a 43.9 percent chance of landing him.