Auburn’s 2026 Recruiting Class: Who’s Signed and How They Got Here
National Signing Day has arrived, and for Auburn, it’s a pivotal moment in the early tenure of new head coach Alex Golesh. This 2026 class marks the first major recruiting haul under Golesh’s leadership, and it’s already shaping up to reflect the staff’s aggressive, targeted approach-highlighted by flips, local wins, and a few key reunions.
Here’s a full breakdown of who’s officially signed with the Tigers and the story behind each commitment.
IOL Mykall Lundy-Foster
One of the first big moves under Golesh’s staff came in the trenches. Mykall Lundy-Foster, a 6-foot-3, 325-pound interior offensive lineman, flipped from USF to Auburn-following new offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick.
Lundy-Foster had also considered Boston College, but the connection with Hudanick proved strong enough to bring him to the Plains. With his size and physical profile, he projects as a plug-and-play interior lineman down the road, providing much-needed depth and upside inside.
S Wayne Henry
Wayne Henry knew where he wanted to be before he ever stepped foot on campus. The safety committed back in August 2024, heavily influenced by former high school teammates Blake Woodby, Bryce Deas, and Darrion Smith-each of whom had plenty to say about the Auburn experience.
Despite interest from other schools, Henry never wavered. His loyalty to the Tigers was clear from the jump, and now he’s officially on board.
LB Jaquez Wilkes
One of the more intriguing prospects in the class, Jaquez Wilkes is a physical force out of Wadley, Alabama. While some schools recruited him as an edge rusher, Auburn sees him as a linebacker-and that’s where he’ll start his college career.
Wilkes had offers from Miami, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Alabama, but ultimately stuck with the in-state Tigers. His role may evolve, but his raw ability and toughness are undeniable.
TE DJ Broughton Jr.
Another former USF commit who followed Golesh to Auburn, Damarcus “DJ” Broughton Jr. had already been on the Tigers’ radar. He visited campus a couple of times and camped over the summer, giving the staff a closer look at his skill set. Once Golesh made the move, Broughton became a priority-and now he’s officially part of the tight end room on the Plains.
QB Rhys Brush
Every class needs a quarterback, and for this one, it’s Rhys Brush. The longtime USF commit flipped to Auburn on Signing Day, despite never having visited campus prior.
The staff has believed in Brush from the start, and his performance at the Elite 11 Tampa camp only reinforced that belief. He’ll arrive as a developmental QB with tools and upside, and now he’s set to compete in the SEC.
LB Shadarius Toodle
Shadarius Toodle’s recruitment had some twists. He committed early to Auburn, flipped to Georgia in the summer, but remained a top target for the Tigers.
Credit to defensive coordinator DJ Durkin and linebackers coach Vontrell King-Williams, who stayed on him and eventually got him back in the fold. Ironically, his flip back to Auburn came shortly after a loss to Georgia-bringing a little poetic symmetry to the process.
S Shadrick Toodle Jr.
Joining his younger brother is Shadrick Toodle Jr., a JUCO safety who brings a unique athletic background to the roster. A former basketball player who transitioned to football later in high school, Toodle Jr. spent one season at the junior college level and now arrives at Auburn with four years to play three. The reunion with his brother adds a family dynamic to this class-and bolsters the Tigers’ secondary depth.
IOL Parker Pritchett
A local product through and through, Parker Pritchett had long been waiting for the Tigers to make their move. Once the offer came, he didn’t hesitate.
While he played offensive tackle in high school, Auburn sees him as a better fit on the interior-either at guard or center. It’s a classic case of a homegrown talent finding his way to the hometown program.
WR DeShawn Spencer
DeShawn Spencer had already been leaning toward flipping from Duke, but the hires of Alex Golesh and Kodi Burns sealed the deal. Spencer had built strong relationships with the staff during their time at USF and now gets to play for them in his home state. A former running back turned wide receiver, Spencer brings versatility and playmaking ability to the Tigers’ receiving corps.
Final Thoughts
This 2026 class is more than just a collection of names-it’s a statement of intent from Alex Golesh and his staff. There’s a clear theme of continuity, with several recruits following the staff from USF, but also a strong emphasis on local ties and long-term development. From trench help to dynamic skill players, Auburn is laying the foundation for its future-and this class is the first real glimpse of what that future could look like.