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Auburn Suffers Disappointing Recruiting Loss at Hands of Bill Belichick

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Logan Fowler | Last updated May 23, 2025 7:19 AM ET

Hugh Freeze will be turning his attention elsewhere – at least for the time being – for a signal caller in the 2026 class after Travis Burgess announced his commitment to Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels on Wednesday evening.

The 6-foot-5 gunslinger chose the Tar Heels over Auburn and North Carolina State. Burgess had an official visit scheduled to the Plains for May 30.

"Coach [Bill] Belichick will turn this program around in the next year or two," Burgess told Inside Carolina. "And I want to be a part of that legacy and help turn it around. The 'TB legacy' will continue."

In his junior year at Grayson High School (GA), Burgess threw for 2,255 yards, 23 touchdowns and four interceptions while adding 596 yards rushing on 10.3 yards per carry.

The Tigers will likely turn their attention to Jackson, Alabama native Landon Duckworth. He will officially visit May 30 - June 1. According to 247Sports’ rankings, Duckworth is the No. 50 player nationally and No. 6 quarterback in the class.

With official visits ramping up – last weekend the Tigers had 11 visitors last weekend – Auburn will look to build upon two straight top 10 recruiting classes. The Tigers are ranked No. 33 overall in the 247Sports’ recruiting rankings.

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

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