When Hugh Freeze arrived on the Plains to coach Auburn football, he knew there was a lot of work to be done, and it all started with recruiting. While securing a respectable class of 2023 was the immediate priority, Freeze and his staff have now shifted towards the classes of 2024 and 2025, two classes the head coach says are critical in determining the Tigers’ future success.
The coaching staff is going to battle with neighboring powerhouses Alabama and Georgia for highly-ranked recruits and will have to win key recruiting battles if they hope to compete with the fellow SEC Titans.
One of the Tigers’ top targets recently released his top 10 schools, which include Alabama, Georgia, Penn State, Florida, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Auburn football. 5-star edge Jamonta Waller is clearly interested in playing in the SEC, but according to Steve Wiltfong, the Nittany Lions are the leaders of his recruitment heading into the summer.
BREAKING: Elite 2024 LB Jamonta Waller is down to 🔟 Schools!
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 13, 2023
The 6’2 230 LB from Picayune, MS is ranked as a Top 80 Player in the ‘24 Class
Where Should He Go?👇🏽https://t.co/Y66VWatysK pic.twitter.com/lGCvGvhHPq
Waller has currently scheduled several official visits, heading to Penn State on June 9, Florida on June 16, Georgia on June 23, Texas A&M on July 28, and Auburn on June 2. The 5-star edge is excited to get back to the Plains, per 247 Sports’ Wiltfong:
"“Coach (Ron) Roberts and his whole staff call me or message me daily and tells me how much of a need I am for them. It’s definitely an amazing feeling.”"
Waller is ranked as the #22 overall prospect and the #5 edge in the recruiting class of 2024. He is the #1 player out of the state of Mississippi. By the end of his junior season, Waller finished with 106 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries according to his 247 Sports profile.