Auburn’s 2027 recruiting class took its first hit on Tuesday, and the timing only sharpened the sting.
Three-star cornerback Nash Johnson, who had been pledged to the Tigers for several months, flipped his commitment to Georgia, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. Georgia had been in the mix as a finalist before Johnson chose Auburn following an official visit, but the Bulldogs landed him back after a stretch of momentum in their favor.
Johnson is the first Auburn commitment to change course during the cycle, and the move comes with the two programs sitting in very different spots. Auburn is 3-2 coming out of its bye week, while Georgia enters this week as the No. 1 team in the country. The schools also meet at Sanford Stadium this weekend, adding another layer to the moment.
The Powder Springs, Georgia, native had been committed since May and was one of three cornerbacks in Auburn’s 2027 group. He was ranked as the No. 59 cornerback in the class and a top-75 prospect from Georgia, though he was the lowest-rated of Auburn’s three cornerback commits.
Even with the flip, Auburn’s overall class remains in solid shape. Head coach Alex Golesh had built early momentum with the 2027 group, and the Tigers still hold the No. 12 class in the country, according to On3, along with a spot in the top half of the SEC rankings. Auburn also still has two four-star cornerbacks in the fold: Chance Gilbert and Aidyn Wiggins.
Still, the loss could be read as an early warning sign if Auburn’s on-field results keep sliding. The Tigers face a brutal October finish with Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss still ahead, and they already took a loss at Tennessee on Oct. 3 at Neyland Stadium.
For Auburn, bowl eligibility is part of the conversation, and a postseason win would mean its first bowl victory since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
With less than two months until National Signing Day and 24 commits currently in the class, Golesh will be trying to keep the rest of the group intact. If Auburn’s season goes sideways, Johnson may not be the last recruit to reconsider.
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Sollies commitment also gives Auburn something beyond a simple quarterback pledge. He has already started helping recruit other players, a sign the Tigers view him as more than just a future arm in the room. For a program trying to build early momentum under a new coach, landing a local quarterback who is willing to get involved right away is the kind of development that can ripple well beyond one position group. [Read more 🡒]
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Kirby Smart and Alex Golesh both spent time this week addressing the matchup and where their teams stand, underscoring the contrast between Georgias steady dominance and Auburns need to prove it can handle the moment. With the Bulldogs chasing a 10th straight win in the rivalry, a result that would tie a series record, Auburns trip is about more than bragging rights. It is another pressure point in a season that will be judged by how it responds in games like this. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Signee's Eligibility Fight Could Decide If He Ever Plays
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At the center of the dispute is new NCAA guidance that takes a closer look at players with professional experience, something Rubtaviius argues does not line up with earlier eligibility rulings. Auburn has backed his right to seek clarity, but for now the program is waiting on a court hearing set for Oct. 16, a date that could go a long way toward determining whether one of its signees ever makes it to campus in uniform. [Read more 🡒]