The Auburn Tigers are in very impressive recruiting territory nationally. 4-star DeMatha Catholic EDGE James Pace made the expected decision to join AU on Friday, keeping the Tigers in the 247Sports 2027 team composite rankings' top 10 during a major month on the trail across the country.
Pace credited the Tigers coaching staff for their relationship-building. In particular, Pace gave flowers to edge coach Coleman Hutzler and assistant edge coach Wayne Dorsey. As Pace noted, Dorsey is a fellow Marylander.
“I feel comfortable every minute I’m (at Auburn). There is a lot of love from the faculty and staff, and the players already make me feel like I’m in the brotherhood. I feel comfortable every minute I’m (at Auburn). There is a lot of love from the faculty and staff, and the players already make me feel like I’m in the brotherhood," Pace said.
“(Dorsey) is from where I’m from, so that played a big part of it. That started it all with the whole spark with Auburn. Me and my dad talk to Coach Dorsey a lot and relate to him a lot. (Hutzler) is a real standup guy. I have good relationships with Coach Dorsey and Coach Hutz.”
With the commitment, the Tigers rank No. 9 at this moment, looking up at the likes of the Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Oregon Ducks, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Florida Gators, Oklahoma Sooners, Miami Hurricanes, and Texas A&M Aggies, and sitting just ahead of the Ohio State Buckeyes.
What is that smell? Oh, that's cash money. Per the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, that's the smell of 25% linen and 75% cotton. Auburn is in the rarified air. Unlike neighbors to the north, who don't necessarily need a stacked 2027 class, but so far don't look like they're trying. And have an AD who's complained about a lack of spending before.
Pace is the second EDGE in the Tigers' 2027 class. While on paper, there isn't a 5-star on the Plains, and Auburn is the highest-ranked team without one in 247Sports' rankings, Pace could become one his senior year in the WCAC's Capital Division, the toughest conference in its region. Pace is also the second EDGE commit in the last two weeks from Maryland. 3-star Annapolis EDGE Rion Jackson's commitment was the first. That's a great trend.
Alex Golesh's defensive additions are working out
While Dorsey is a holdover from Hugh Freeze's staff, having worked under DJ Durkin last year, Hutzler is a sensible yet still outside-the-box hire from Alex Golesh. Hutzler has coached all over the country and in several conferences. He's mainly an SEC veteran, though, with stints with the Mississippi Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide the past four years.
Golesh is hitting where he needs to, and appropriately collaborating with the grandfathered-in staff. That kind of, dare I say, alignment, is what leads to great things. Clearly, the recruits are taking notice. This mix is too good for those involve not to celebrate.
Golesh's rebuilding job is right on schedule, from what most could objectively tell.
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