The NCAA transfer portal is open for business again, and the Auburn football coaching staff is taking full advantage. The Tigers have already added defensive lineman Jay Hardy and linebacker Caleb Wheatland from the portal, and they added a third commit on Monday morning.
Former Florida A&M defensive lineman James Ash announced he will spend his final year of eligibility with Auburn football after spending the weekend on the Plains for an official visit. He entered the transfer portal on Thursday.
From Tampa, Florida, Ash signed with Wake Forest out of high school as a member of their recruiting class of 2020. He spent two years with the Demon Deacons before transferring to Florida A&M ahead of the 2022 season. In his three-year career with the Rattlers, Ash recorded 86 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one interception.
For Ash, Auburn football defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams was a big factor in his decision to play for the Tigers.
"That's my guy," Ash said, per Auburn Undercover. "He sees a lot in me, he sees a lot of athleticism and ways he can use it in their scheme. Their scheme is second to none from what I'm hearing, and there's guys that have produced and have shown that his scheme isn't short of perfect. We talked about, I like the fact that we have two senior guys going on and chasing their dreams. And now it's more open for a guy with a little more experience. I know the guys in the room right now have been great rotational guys — the coaches talk highly of everyone in the room. I feel like with a rotation it'll be a scary night every Saturday."
Ash is the third transfer pickup for the Tigers in the spring portal window.