Hugh Freeze's Auburn lands commitment from four-star EDGE Jared Smith to the class of 2025

Four-star edge Jared Smith, from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama, has committed to Auburn's 2025 class. He announced his decision on Saturday during a ceremony in Birmingham, choosing the Tigers over finalists USC, South Carolina, Florida State, Ole Miss and Georgia, among others.

Smith’s decision came after a visit to Auburn during the school's Big Cat Weekend. A big factor in his decision was the efforts of defensive ends coach Josh Aldridge and head coach Hugh Freeze.

"I chose Auburn because I get to stay home, because of the culture and I see the vision coach Hugh Freeze has," Smith told Auburn Tigers. "I see where the program is going and I want to be a part of it."

The announcement marks a huge milestone for the Tigers, as Jared Smith becomes the first commit at the edge position in the 2025 recruiting cycle. He has experienced the electrifying atmosphere of an Auburn Iron Bowl firsthand, and now he looks forward to playing in the iconic game himself, while Tigers fans remain his source of inspiration.

“Auburn has the best fans, the stadium is so loud, and staying home, I get to be a part of that game. That game is live, it has crazy energy and getting to play in that is big,” Smith said.

The Tigers now hold commitments from eight of the top 10 players in the state of Alabama. Smith’s pledge is proof of coach Freeze's strategy of focusing on in-state talent.

“Coach Freeze is bringing Auburn back. He is going to get the in-state kids to stay home, he is building a top recruiting class and I see his vision. He is taking Auburn to another level with the in-state kids," Smith said.

Jared Smith’s commitment is the eighth for Auburn across the 2025 and 2026 classes since the start of its Big Cat event. He is the fifth addition to the 2025 class in the past seven days alone. He joins a growing list of Thompson High School teammates who have chosen the Tigers, including Anquon Fegans and John Alan McGuire.

As it stands, Auburn’s 2026 recruiting class boasts 22 commitments, ranking No. 6 nationally and No. 4 in the SEC, per On3 team ranking.

What does Jared Smith bring to Auburn?

Standing at 6-foot-6.5 and weighing 235 pounds, Jared Smith possesses the ideal physical characteristics that are precisely what collegiate programs and NFL scouts look for in a defensive line prospect.

National recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna projects him as a high-level multi-year starter at a Power Four program. Petagna also envisions Smith's potential to develop into a Day 1 or Day 2 NFL draft choice.

In 2023, Jared Smith started his junior year at Spain Park High School in Alabama before transferring to Thompson High School mid-season. At Spain Park in 2022, he played a crucial role in the team's defense, totaling 4.5 sacks in a single game against Chelsea.

Smith is a multi-sport athlete who also excels in basketball. He was part of Spain Park's basketball program that reached Alabama’s 7A Final Four during both his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Jared Smith is tabbed as the No. 19 player in the nation, the No. 2 edge rusher in the 2025 class and the No. 2 player in Alabama, according to 247Sports. On3 ranks him as the No. 176 player in the nation, the No. 18 edge rusher in the class and the No. 6 player in Alabama.