The Auburn football program experienced both wins and losses in the recruiting world earlier this week. The Tigers missed out on 5-star wide receiver Cam Coleman from Phenix City, who was widely considered to be an Auburn lock and then committed to Texas A&M in a “Fourth of July Shocker.”
After Coleman committed to the Aggies, Rydarrius “Red” Morgan, another Central-Phenix City target of the Tigers, pledged allegiance to Florida State. Missing out on these two guys is not best-case scenario, obviously, especially with all the work the Tigers’ coaching staff put in to prioritize Coleman and establish the Phenix City pipeline to the Plains.
However, there was good news, too. Auburn football kept D’Angelo Barber home, earning the commitment of the 3-star linebacker from Pinson, AL.
1000% COMMITTED‼️‼️ #WDE @AuburnFootball @CoachA_AU @CoachHughFreeze @CCHSfootbal @ALLGASATHLETES @coachahelms @CoachHart_CC pic.twitter.com/DWkMAqATY3
— D’Angelo Barber (@DJ_Barber6) July 4, 2023
Barber is ranked as the #492 overall prospect and the #45 linebacker in the recruiting class of 2024. He is the #25 recruit out of the state of Alabama, and is the sixth in-state athlete to commit to the Tigers.
The linebacker took quite a few visits to the Plains, and has scheduled his official visit for the weekend of September 29 when the Tigers play host to the Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium. He also plans to be on campus for Big Cat Weekend at the end of the month.
According to Auburn Live, Barber’s decision was between Arkansas and Auburn football, but the coaching staff on the Plains made a huge impact on the linebacker and ultimately factored into his Auburn decision:
"“It starts with Coach (Hugh) Freeze,” he said. “He played a big, big role in me choosing Auburn. I like him a lot. I can relate to him because he’s a cool, calm and relaxed guy. He doesn’t show any signs of getting rattled by anything.”"
D’Angelo Barber is the ninth commitment in the Tigers’ recruiting class of 2024, which is currently ranked #48 overall and second to last in the SEC, ahead of Missouri.