BREAKING: Auburn Football lands 4-star LB from the Sunshine State!

Auburn, AL — The Auburn Tigers just made a massive move on the recruiting trail. In a commitment that’s reverberating across the SEC, Auburn has officially landed 4-star linebacker Malik Crayton, a top defensive talent out of Bradenton, Florida, in the heart of the Sunshine State.

Crayton, a 6’2”, 220-pound tackling machine from IMG Academy, chose Auburn over a loaded list of Power Five offers, including Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, Miami, and Ohio State. Known for his sideline-to-sideline speed and fierce tackling ability, Crayton is widely regarded as one of the most instinctive linebackers in the 2026 recruiting class.

The announcement came via a live stream on Crayton’s social media accounts, where he unzipped a team-agnostic jacket to reveal a crisp white Auburn polo, sending Tiger fans into a frenzy online.

Ranked as a top-150 overall prospect and the No. 11 linebacker in the nation by 247Sports, Crayton brings everything a modern defense demands from the second level — speed, physicality, football IQ, and leadership.

Over the past two seasons at IMG, Crayton recorded:

• 178 total tackles
• 21 tackles for loss
• 8 sacks
• 3 interceptions
• 2 forced fumbles

Scouts rave about his ability to read plays before they develop, shoot gaps with elite burst, and hold his own in coverage against both tight ends and slot receivers.

“Malik Crayton is a future team captain at the next level,” said Rivals analyst Charles Powers. “His instincts and energy pop on tape. He’s a game-changer.”

Auburn’s victory in this recruiting war comes down to relationships, fit, and a clear vision laid out by head coach Hugh Freeze and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts.

Crayton visited the Plains twice this spring — including for Auburn’s A-Day spring game — and left with glowing reviews about the coaching staff, team culture, and opportunity to play early.

“Coach Freeze made me feel like a priority from the start,” Crayton said after his visit. “He told me I could be the face of this defense. That means everything.”

Sources close to the recruitment said Auburn’s transparency, honesty, and defensive scheme played a pivotal role. Roberts, who has a history of developing elite linebackers, laid out a plan that places Crayton at the heart of the Tigers’ defense, possibly as a day-one contributor.

For Hugh Freeze, this commitment is yet another sign that Auburn is gaining serious momentum in the recruiting space.

Crayton becomes the third blue-chip defender to commit to the Tigers this cycle, joining 4-star edge rusher Kaden Marshall (GA) and top-100 cornerback DeShawn Coley (AL). It’s also a significant win over both in-state and regional rivals — especially Florida and FSU, who had long been considered front-runners.

“We’re building something real here,” Freeze said last week. “Our staff is relentless, and recruits are starting to see that Auburn is where they can become stars.”

With Crayton’s pledge, Auburn’s 2026 recruiting class jumps into the Top 15 nationally, according to multiple outlets. The Tigers now have:

• 1 five-star (WR Cameron Dorsey, TX)
• 6 four-stars, including Crayton
• 3 three-star foundational prospects

And more could be on the way. Auburn is in strong position for several elite defensive linemen and recently hosted 5-star safety Malachi Boone (MS) on an unofficial visit.

The class is being led by primary recruiter and ace linebackers coach Josh Aldridge, whose relentless pursuit of Crayton was a difference-maker.

Strengths:

• Elite closing speed
• High football IQ
• Versatile skill set (run, coverage, blitz)
• Leadership presence

Areas to improve:

• Needs to refine angles at the second level
• Adding 10-15 pounds for SEC play durability
• Maintaining pad level vs. bigger blockers

Crayton projects as an inside linebacker in Auburn’s 4-2-5 base, with the ability to shift outside in nickel packages. His coverage skills and natural instincts suggest he’ll have NFL potential down the line.

Landing a premier player from Florida is always a big deal for any SEC program, but for Auburn, it’s especially sweet. The Sunshine State is home to deep ties with the Gators and Seminoles, and Auburn beating both for a top defensive recruit adds spice to those recruiting battles.

It also continues a recent trend — Auburn has landed five top-300 Florida recruits in the last two cycles, thanks in part to Freeze’s strategy of targeting SEC East states and non-traditional pipelines while rebuilding the Tigers’ footprint.

Crayton said his recruitment is “shut down” and he is “100% committed” to Auburn. He plans to enroll early in January 2026.

“I’m locked in. War Eagle all the way,” he said. “Now I’m focused on winning a state title and helping Auburn bring in more dogs.”

Among the names Crayton is already recruiting:

• 5-star DT Elijah Byrd (GA)
• 4-star LB Tre McKinley (LA)
• 4-star WR Javon McNeal (FL)

His leadership could be pivotal in keeping the class together — and elevating it even further.

This commitment is about more than just rankings. It’s about trajectory. Hugh Freeze and his staff continue to flip the script on what Auburn football recruiting looks like — making inroads into elite talent pipelines and beating out rivals for SEC-ready players like Malik Crayton.

With Crayton in the fold, Auburn’s defense of the future just got a lot scarier.
And for Tiger fans?

It’s another reason to believe.
Another signal that the Plains are rising.
And another linebacker ready to roar.