Auburn has a recent history of producing top defensive backs.
From the 2023 season alone, three Tigers are a part of the All-SEC Team. Running back Jarquez Hunter, tight end Rivaldo Fairweather, and safety Jaylin Simpson.
The latter is a player opposing offenses typically stayed away from and for good reason. Simpson produced some of his best moments in big games, including an overall defensive grade of 90.4 from Pro Football Focus for his performance against Georgia this past season.
Auburn is looking for more playmakers in the secondary, much like Simpson. The 2024 recruiting class saw the Tigers swoop into the Peach State and land Jalyn Crawford from Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview. From the class of 2024, he's one of the nation's top cornerback recruits and is expected to be a big part of Auburn's football revival.
Hugh Freeze and his staff have their eyes on another player from the state of Georgia for the class of 2025 with Zacharey Smith coming from Atlanta (Ga.) Hapeville Charter.
According to Smith, his offer list goes like this:
"Missouri, Toledo, Akron, Temple, Austin Peay, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Georgia Tech, Marshall, Georgia State, Appalachian State, Auburn, Ole Miss, SMU, FAU, Liberty, UCF, Louisville, Georgia Southern, and Pittsburgh."
With several offers from the Power 4 and four SEC offers already, Smith is a 6-foot-1 and 168-pound cornerback with the natural length and speed to play at the highest level of college football. He's also versatile.
"I'm going to play corner mostly," Smith said of his position next fall. "But I am going to play really everything (in the secondary) to get more film. I'm also going to play a little bit of offense."
This high-upside cornerback says that Auburn is one of the schools recruiting him the hardest. To that point, he's being recruited by one of Auburn's best all-around talent evaluators and coaches.
"Coach Crime Dawg," Smith said of which AU coach is after him. The Auburn secondary coach focuses on the cornerback position where Smith will play.
"He tells me everything about Auburn, what it's going to be like down there. He's a really cool person." It appears that McGriff will be seeing Smith soon.
"I haven't been there (Auburn) yet but I plan to be up there Saturday (for junior day)."
As for what Smith is looking for with his college choice, he offered the following.
"A place where I can develop as a player and also as a man."
With Smith's college choice, he would like to have it done by the end of the summer. Auburn gets its chance to impress him this weekend in an attempt to eventually make him a part of the 2025 recruiting class.
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