The Auburn Tigers are closing in on luring 5-star Hartfield Academy safety Bralan Womack away from the Ohio State Buckeyes. And that's in spite of their proof of concept with Caleb Downs last year and as we speak.
That's the point On SI's Nathan Beighle made on the imminent recruiting upset, conceding that the Tigers could have the financial means to sway the safety to the Plains.
"Better yet, he put that Womack reminds him of Ohio State star Caleb Downs. Seeing how the Buckeyes are set to make Downs a top-ten NFL prospect should give them a leg up in securing Womack, especially if Downs has yet another breakout season," Beighle wrote.
"Nonetheless, with NIL as a major factor, Auburn could drop a bag and secure the safety."
So much for Auburn being broke, huh?
Even being mentioned as a financial threat to the Ohio State University is a massive win for a school in Lee County, Alabama.
Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, like Jim Knowles with Downs, has proof of concept. He's the lead option as an interim head coach if Hugh Freeze is fired midseason. Meanwhile, Womack has connected with special assistant to the head coach TJ Rushing.
Things look good for AU. As the team has dealt with an offseason of Freeze saying the wrong things, he's also had an offseason of doing the right things on the recruiting trail.
Landing Womack would be a sign of a healthy program, and a deliverance on the August 1 promise of improved NIL spending for the 2026 cycle.