Auburn football had an extremely successful early signing day, officially adding 17 recruits to the 2022 roster. Three of those signees were major junior college commits, including Keionte Scott, Marquise Gilbert, and Jeffrey M’Ba. However, one Tiger commit did not sign with the program on early signing day.
Caden Story, a 4-star defensive lineman from Lanett, Alabama, has been committed to Bryan Harsin’s program since August 1, but he did not sign with the rest of the commits on December 15. His father told AL.com that Story is still fully on-board with Auburn football, but will wait to sign until the February deadline:
"“He’s still committed to Auburn, still loves Auburn and wants to be a part of Auburn family,” Clifford Story said. “It’s nothing to do with change of mind or change of heart. We just feel it is best to wait right now.”"
Despite his father’s statement, Story has not fully closed his recruitment to other schools. According to Swamp247, the defensive lineman is on Florida Gators’ head coach Billy Napier’s radar:
"“I have been talking to the new coaching staff,” Story said. “I have been hearing from Coach [Patrick] Toney and Coach [Billy] Napier. Things have been going great, just getting to know them and understand the things they have planned at Florida.”"
Story spoke highly of the traditions at Florida and said he is learning more about Napier’s new plan for the future of the Gators. The Alabama native has taken official visits to both Auburn and UCF but is looking to take more OV’s before officially signing with the Tigers, naming Florida, Oklahoma, and Mississippi State as potential destinations.
While Story insists he remains fully committed to Auburn football, the staff will have to work hard to keep his commitment until February, when he plans to make his decision and officially sign.