Midway through 2022 spring practices, Auburn football’s coaching staff is not only focused on their current team but is also looking ahead and recruiting for coming years. While building up the talent on the offensive line and in the wide receivers room make two top priorities for the Tigers, elevating the defensive line is always a goal.
This week, Auburn football will host three top defensive line targets in the recruiting class of 2023 on the Plains, and all three prospects are from around the state of Alabama. Keeping talent in the state has always been a goal of head coach Bryan Harsin, but consistently battling with Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide makes it a challenge.
The first in-state DL to visit the Plains this week is top target Hunter Osborne. The 4-star defensive tackle from Hewitt-Trussville is ranked as the #113 overall prospect and the #18 defensive lineman in the recruiting class of 2023 in addition to being the #12 recruit out of the state of Alabama. He plans to be on campus this Wednesday.
Osborne’s relationship with D-line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh will be a major factor in his recruitment to Auburn, but the Tigers will still have to battle it out with top programs including Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Clemson.
Next on the visitor list is Highland Home native Keldric Faulk. The 4-star is ranked as the #94 overall prospect and the #14 defensive lineman in the class of 2023 in addition to being the #10 recruit out of the state of Alabama. Faulk is being heavily pursued by Florida and FSU and has an offer from Alabama, but according to Auburn Live, the Tigers should be able to take the lead in Faulk’s recruitment following this visit.
The third defensive lineman on campus this week is 4-star Kelby Collins from Gardendale. Ranked as the #77 overall prospect and the #9 DL in the class of 2023, Collins is the #8 recruit out of the state of Alabama. Collins has spent the month of March making visits to programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Ole Miss. He announced that he will cut his list down to five programs in April.