"It's family, for real" — 3-star LB Bryce Deas commits to Hugh Freeze's Auburn ahead of 2024 season

Bryce Deas, a three-star linebacker hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, has announced his commitment to the Auburn Tigers after showing his skills during a camp at Auburn. It made him the 14th member of the program's 2025 recruiting class on Tuesday.

Deas' interest in Auburn was sparked by the experiences of his close friend and teammate Blake Woodby, who recently visited the campus. Deas eagerly sought to be part of the Auburn Tigers' legacy and showed his athleticism with a 4.5-second 40-yard dash. He also engaged in a private workout session before receiving an offer and committing to the program.

Deas was impressed with the familial atmosphere and the genuine care exhibited by the coaching staff.

“I love it at Auburn,” Deas told Auburn Live. “It’s family, for real. You can see it in the coaches. They really care about you. They want to make you a better person and a better player.”

Deas was also impressed with Auburn's potential under defensive coordinator DJ Durkin.

“You can tell that they want to make you better,” Deas said (via Auburn Undercover). “They touch on every point and everything I messed up on and have a coaching point on it. Just me being able to be coachable, that’s going to be good for the both of us: me and Coach Durkin.”

Deas received offers from several schools, including USC, Penn State, Miami, Georgia Tech, and Memphis, but his heart was set on Auburn.

“I might take another visit, but if I do, I’d just be enjoying the process. I’m locked in with Auburn. I love Auburn. I’m comfortable here. It feels like home.”

Deas becomes Auburn's third commitment in the last six days after the program earned commitments from cornerback Donovan Starr and offensive lineman Broderick Shull.

The Tigers now boast more than two dozen players committed in the class, and eight of those players are defensive stars. With a top-10 recruiting class for the 2025 cycle, they have ascended to the eighth spot in the 247Sports rankings.

What is Bryce Deas' potential position in college football?

Bryce Deas describes himself as a "moneybacker," which is a hybrid of safety and linebacker roles. He is officially listed as a linebacker, but his recruitment to Auburn as a "defensive athlete" hints at a future where his talents could be deployed in various positions.

Deas also has high school experience as a running back and wide receiver. Recruitment analyst Core Pinkston draws parallels between Deas and current Auburn safety Kaleb Harris, who has proven proficiency across multiple positions.

Coach Durkin expressed eagerness to utilize Deas' talents by acknowledging the challenge of pinpointing his position.

“Coach Durkin told me he didn’t know where to put me, but that he wanted me,” Deas said. “He told me I could play will backer, star … he just knows I’m going to play somewhere.”

Deas is ranked as the No. 598 player, No. 66 linebacker, and No. 16 player from Maryland according to the 247Sports Composite. He is the nation’s No. 555 overall prospect, No. 26 athlete, and No. 18 recruit from Maryland, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.