Four-star defensive lineman made his official commitment to Auburn. The former Alabama commit had previously visited in early April, but this time he got a more in-depth experience with the program.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Cleveland is rated as the No. 18 defensive lineman in the 2026 class and the No. 8 overall prospect in the state.
During the visit, he spent more time with Auburn’s defensive staff, including defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams and defensive coordinator DJ Durkin. The visit left a strong impression, with Cleveland moving Auburn into his top group of schools. He sees a real opportunity for growth and success with the Tigers.
“Coach Durkin is a great coach—I really like him,” Cleveland told Auburn Rivals. “I feel like I’m a strong fit in his scheme. He uses different fronts to let his players make plays, and that stands out to me.”
Cleveland also discussed development with Coach King-Williams.
“Coach King told me that if you go somewhere and they expect you to start right away, you might get thrown into the fire before you’re ready. You don’t get developed the right way,” Cleveland said. “He said I already have the talent, and that if I come to Auburn, he can coach me up and make me unblockable.”
Auburn has another advantage in Cleveland’s recruitment—his former high school teammate Jourdin Crawford, now playing on Auburn’s defensive line, is actively encouraging him to join the Tigers.
Cleveland plans to make his college decision by the end of June, but he still has official visits lined up with Miami, Texas, Georgia, and Florida before he announces.