Auburn lands an elite in-state commit to help improve an aspect of the recruiting class that’s already one of the best in the country
The Auburn Tigers are recruiting well, considering it’s Alex Golesh’s first cycle in the SEC. And landing MJ Evans certainly helps.
Auburn football and coach Alex Golesh landed a significant commitment when four-star edge rusher MJ Evans chose the Tigers over Tennessee, Miami, and South Carolina.
The 6’4, 265-pound pass rusher from Birmingham, Alabama, announced his decision with a simple message in his commitment video: “I’m home.”
Evans carries an 89.38 composite rating on Rivals and ranks as the No. 211 player in the country according to 247Sports. He’s the No. 24 edge rusher nationally and the No. 10 prospect in the state of Alabama. Evans played at Spain Park High School after previously playing for the Birmingham Tigers.
Auburn was always the favorite
The visit history told the story before the commitment ever dropped. Evans took five visits to Auburn, the local school. South Carolina had three visits, while Tennessee, Florida, and Miami each had two. Ohio State had one. It never looked particularly close. Auburn appeared to lead the charge from the start, and the Tigers closed the deal.
Florida was also involved at various points, but Evans’ proximity to the Plains and his volume of visits made it clear where he was leaning. When a prospect visits a school five times and lives in-state, it’s hard to see anyone else winning the recruitment.
Golesh building a defensive line haul
Evans is the latest addition to what has become an impressive defensive front in Auburn’s 2027 recruiting class. The Tigers already have four-star edge rusher James Pace, four-star defensive lineman Donivan Moore (another in-state product from Alabama), four-star defensive lineman Nate Kamba, and four-star edge rusher Rion Jackson. That’s a collection of rangy, twitchy, fast defenders who can wreak havoc up front.
Evans fits the mold. He has the length and burst to be a productive edge rusher, and at 265 pounds, there’s room to convert some of that speed into power as he develops physically at the college level.
The bigger picture for Auburn’s class
Golesh is putting together a strong recruiting class. Auburn sits at No. 12 nationally and No. 5 in the SEC. The Tigers have 13 blue-chip commitments, all 4-stars, and a 24% in-state rate, showing Golesh and his staff are locking down Alabama talent.
Evans is the piece that keeps this class trending upward. With depth across the defensive line and quality commitments at multiple positions, Auburn’s 2027 class has the kind of foundation that gives the Tigers a higher chance of hitting on developmental prospects. Golesh still has work to do, but the early returns suggest the Tigers are building something worth watching on the Plains.