Auburn football: 3 schools to beat for 5-star Tony Mitchell

The state of Alabama has produced many of the top prospects in the recruiting class of 2023, and Auburn football head coach Bryan Harsin and his staff are doing their best to show these recruits why the Plains is the place to be.

In the past few months, the Tigers have been named on top schools lists of many prospects, and have kept busy hosting recruits on campus all the way up to the recruiting dead period. Recently, 5-star cornerback Tony Mitchell named the Tigers in his final four schools.

Mitchell is listed as the #15 overall prospect and the #2 cornerback in the recruiting class of 2023 and is the #2 recruit out of the state of Alabama behind 5-star defensive lineman James Smith, who is also a target for the Tigers.

Although Auburn football landed squarely in Mitchell’s final four, it will still be a challenge to earn his commitment when it’s all said and done, because the Tigers are going up against three top programs for the 5-star: Georgia, Texas A&M, and Alabama.

Mitchell has visited Georgia several times, and is on their campus this weekend for a visit before his return trip to College Station for an official visit to Texas A&M on July 31. The CB feels at home in Athens and has been a longtime Dawg target.

While in-state Alabama may be the favorite to land Mitchell, the Aggies are right behind, and a lot about their program stands out to him, per 247 Sports:

"“NFL experience, the coaches they have, defensive scheme and home feeling environment,” he said of what stands out. “Great relationship with the staff, future college football national champions, great education.”"

While Mitchell is of the opinion that Alabama “speaks for itself” when it comes to winning and player development, he also values the relationships that he’s built with Auburn football coaches throughout his recruitment, and with early playing time certainly on the table for Mitchell, it’s possible he could end up committed to the Tigers.