After some ups and downs in the recruiting world last week, the Auburn football program has reason to celebrate this weekend. Another prospect has committed to the Tigers: 3-star in-state defensive lineman Malik Blocton.
From Pike Road, Alabama— roughly 45 minutes away from the Plains— Blocton is ranked as the #423 overall prospect and the #43 defensive lineman in the recruiting class of 2024. He is the #24 recruit out of the state of Alabama.
The DL chose Auburn football over Texas, Troy, Florida, and Alabama, his top schools. However, by the end of his recruitment things had come down to a choice between Auburn and Texas.
BOOM! #Auburn lands 4⭐️ DL @MalikBlocton
— HFB Media Coverage (@HFBAUMedia) July 8, 2023
July is going to be fun! 👀 pic.twitter.com/U3q0s69M5B
Throughout his recruitment, Blocton repeatedly emphasized that Auburn has felt like home, and that he and his family were made to feel welcome every time they were on campus. He will be joining his older brother, Marcus Harris, on the Tigers’ defensive line corps, but Blocton noted that he was never pushed by Harris to choose Auburn football.
In fact, the biggest factor in Blocton’s decision was the coaching staff. His future position coach, Jeremy Garrett, was recruiting the defensive lineman while still coaching at Liberty, and Blocton has a strong bond with him, per Auburn Live:
"“He recruited me when he was at Liberty,” Blocton said. “We have always had a good relationship and it just got better once he got to Auburn. I was one of the first guys he talked to once he got to Auburn. He made sure I knew I had an offer.”"
Blocton went on to say he felt like a priority to both Garrett and head coach Hugh Freeze, and he feels great about his decision. Malik Blocton is the Tigers’ tenth commit in the recruiting class of 2024.