Auburn Loses Second Top 2026 Commit in Two Days

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jordan Merritt | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 3:29 PM ET

The Auburn Tigers are trending in the wrong direction when it comes to the 2026 recruiting class. It has been a tough two days for Hugh Freeze, first losing linebacker Shadarius Toodle, who flipped to the Georgia Bulldogs, and now losing another top 2026 commit.

Hayes Fawcett of On3 announced that four-star wide receiver Devin Carter had flipped his commitment to the Florida State Seminoles. It's a massive blow for the Tigers, who looked to be locked in with Freeze and his staff just seven days ago. Carter said he was 'reassured' with his commitment despite a recent visit to Tallahassee. However, something has since swayed him to commit to Mike Norvell.

Carter committed to the Auburn Tigers in January and even visited the Plains as recently as June 13. Ten days after the OV and after a weekend official visit to the North Carolina Tar Heels, Carter is a Seminole commit, just over two years after he first committed in April 2023. He flipped to Auburn nine months later. On3 asked him what made the big difference this time around.

“The main reason is the new offensive staff. Coach Harris and coach Malzahn are great coaches and very detailed," Carter said. "They are changing the offense, and they have a plan to make me a productive receiver and put me in a position to be a guy very early for them. My goal is to be a freshman All-American, and I believe they can get me there.”

Hugh Freeze and his staff will need to regroup, with just five commits in the 2026 class. It adds even more heat to the head coach, who is heading into the 2025 college football season on the hot seat.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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