Auburn Tigers News: 4-star OT decommits from AU, Bruce Pearl on Aden Holloway transfer

In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, the Auburn football team lost a commit from an in-state offensive lineman and Bruce Pearl talks about Aden Holloway's transfer to Alabama

Earlier this year in April, 4-star offensive tackle Carde Smith from Mobile, Alabama, committed to the Auburn football program. Coming off a weekend visit to USC, Smith has decided to walk back his pledge to the Tigers. He is ranked as the #26 OT in the recruiting class of 2025 and the #15 recruit out of the state of Alabama.

Smith originally chose Auburn over Florida State and Mississippi State, but has seen been pushed hard by the staffers out in California and is likely a Trojan lean at this point. Despite his decommitment, the Tigers still have 15 commits in their recruiting class of 2025 which is ranked #6 in the country.

Bruce Pearl talks about Aden Holloway's transfer to Alabama

Following the 2023-24 Auburn basketball season, freshman Aden Holloway made a surprising move and transferred across the state to join rival Alabama. Holloway got off to a good start for the Tigers but his production fell off when SEC play began. Though his transfer has been called a loss for head coach Bruce Pearl, the Tigers likely don't feel that way.

Holloway picked Alabama over Michigan and other programs, and averaged 7.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game in his only year on the Plains. On his way out, he spoke to the media and claimed that he was 'sold a dream' at Auburn.

Over the weekend, Pearl was asked about Holloway's move and how that changes the storied Auburn-Alabama rivalry.

"Sure, yeah," Pearl said in response to whether the Holloway transfer breathes additional life into the rivalry, per Auburn Undercover. "It would be like if Auburn's quarterback went and played quarterback for Alabama. What do you think that would do to the Iron Bowl? It would make it more interesting and continue to just add to the rivalry."