Since the hiring of Hugh Freeze as the next head coach of Auburn football, the coaching staff has been working double time to hit the recruiting trail and make up lost time before the start of the early signing period at the end of the month.
For the next few weeks, the Tigers will be hosting recruits on campus and trying to secure talent to add to the 2023 roster, and they’ve already had one successful flip. Sunday morning, offensive lineman Tyler Johnson announced his commitment to Auburn football.
Johnson, a native of Natchitoches, LA, was previously committed to Texas Tech since September. He visited the Plains for Big Cat Weekend over the summer but did not receive an offer from the Tigers at that time. After one official visit with Hugh Freeze–who also offered Johnson a spot at Liberty— and new offensive line coach Jake Thornton, Johnson was sold on Auburn football.
Thank you to all the coaches who have took the time to recruit me. I am officially done with recruitment. 200% committed to The University Of Auburn @AuburnFootball #WDE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/lp5fqka0OA
— tjohnson (@Tjohnson_77) December 11, 2022
Johnson becomes the Tigers’ eleventh commitment from the class of 2023, and the first offensive tackle and third offensive lineman to commit to Auburn. Ranked as the #59 offensive tackle in the 2023 class and the #32 recruit out of the state of Louisiana, it came down to playing SEC ball for Johnson, per Auburn Live:
"“Why not?,” Johnson told Auburn Live. “It’s SEC ball at the highest level and I’m getting coached by a great coach (Jake Thornton). And I trust they can get the program back to where it needs to be.”"
Just 10 days away from the early signing period, the Tigers’ recruiting class of 2023 is ranked #59 overall and last in the SEC, but hopefully their position will improve in the coming weeks.