Auburn Tigers news: Hogs poach LB target, hoops unranked in AP but seen as top 25

The Auburn Tigers didn't get one of their top football recruiting targets, and the basketball team didn't receive a ranking.

Arkansas stole an in-state defender from AU's grasp, and Bruce Pearl's hoops squad was only able to nab an unofficial ranking after another AP Top 25 snub.

Let's dive in.

Arkansas steals in-state recruit Auburn Tigers were in on

Sam Pittman and Travis Williams were able to land 4-star linebacker Bradley Shaw, a Hoover product who amassed 90 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and three sacks during the 2023 Alabama Class 7A season and was named Class 7A first-team All-State, on Christmas morning, per an announcement on Shaw's X account.

Shaw joins fellow in-state stars QB KJ Jackson (St. James), DB Tevis Metcalf (Clay-Chalkville) and DL Kavion Henderson (Leeds) in Arkansas' 2024 class (h/t AL.com).

Auburn basketball snubbed in AP Top 25

Auburn didn't receive their first ranking of the season in eighth poll released of the 2023-24 season from the AP; something many fans may appreciate considering the Tigers' historical preference to being counted out.

Busting Brackets' Joey Loose believes that AU is the No. 23 in the country, though, and that the Tigers will get their proper recognition when SEC play begins.

"Bruce Pearl’s team has talent; there’s no question about that," Loose prefaced before saying, "They scored over 100 against Indiana and they’ve also had lockdown defensive performances. Not many people are paying attention to the Tigers quite yet, likely because they lack a significant or marquee victory. They’ll get plenty of chances for those once SEC play begins, though tune-ups with Chattanooga and Penn await in the next week and a half."

After beating Bronny James and USC pretty badly, the Tigers are certainly on the map right now -- but there's more recognition to be had, and this Auburn team looks like it may just take it.