2026 trio commits to Auburn football at Big Cat Weekend

Three recruits from the recruiting class of 2026 committed to the Auburn football program on Saturday during Big Cat Weekend

As per usual, Auburn football's premiere recruiting event, Big Cat Weekend, is doing its job and producing recruiting momentum for the Tigers. By lunchtime on Saturday, the Tigers had already added three new prospects to their recruiting class of 2026, all from the state of Alabama.

The first was 4-star edge rusher Hezekiah Harris from Huntsville, Alabama. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Harris is ranked as the #4 edge in the recruiting class of 2026 and #2 prospect out of Alabama. The rising junior has nearly 20 offers and chose Auburn over Georgia, Florida State, and Oregon, among others.

Next up was 4-star linebacker Shadarius Toodle from Mobile, Alabama. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Toodle is ranked as the #5 linebacker in the recruiting class of 2026 and is the #4 prospect out of Alabama. He has over 30 offers from top programs, but after multiple visits to the Plains this year, Toodle knew Auburn was the place for him. Now that he's on board with the Tigers, he plans to start recruiting others to join him.

"I'm trying to get Tank Jones, trying to get JMike, all the guys from Alabama," Toodle said, per Auburn Undercover. "I'm staying home. War Eagle."

"Tank" is the nickname of Anthony Jones, the #1 edge in the 2026 class and the #1 prospect out of Alabama who is from Mobile like Toodle. And "JMike" is JaMichael Garrett, the third 2026 commit the Tigers have landed during Big Cat Weekend so far.

Garrett is a 6-foot-2, 205 pound linebacker from Gulf Shores, Alabama. Ranked as the #11 linebacker in the class of 2026 and the #7 recruit out of Alabama, Garrett spent time on Auburn's campus earlier this summer and built strong relationships with the coaches. The family atmosphere was a big factor in Garrett's decision.

“I love the coaches there,” Garrett said, per Auburn Live. “I spent a couple of days (in the summer) and did some work with Coach DJ Durkin. Got some time around the campus. I get along really well with Coach Durkin, Coach Crime, and Coach Josh Aldridge. They would push me to be the best I can be.

“The brotherhood at Auburn is different from anyone in the nation. It is like my high school team and everyone is close. It just feels good when I am there. Then the networking is great, too. It is a great school to go to get set up for after football.”

Auburn football has had major success today with their three 2026 commits and the commitment of Blake Woodby to the 2025 class, but the weekend isn't over. More commits could be on the way for the Auburn Tigers.