Five-star Perry Thompson flips commitment to the Auburn Tigers

Perry Thompson decommits from Alabama to join the 2024 class of in-state rival Auburn.

Jack Singley | Jul 29, 2023

Five-star Perry Thompson flips commitment to the Auburn Tigers /

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Perry Thompson, the five-star wide receiver from Foley, Alabama has decided after his official visit and Big Cat Weekend that Auburn is the team for him.

Thompson was committed to the Crimson Tide for a little over a year. The surge over the past few months from Auburn was in large part due to new wide receivers coach Marcus Davis building a strong connection with him, frequently telling Thompson to "be the change" and set a new standard for Auburn WRs. Hugh Freeze has also been a key part of getting Thompson on campus to experience the atmosphere and environment of Auburn.

He was set up on his official visit with Jay Fair and Nick Mardner. They both seemed to be an important part in closing Thompsons' recruitment down. Fair, Mardner, and Thompson were together for most of the night on his official visit in June, as they were his player hosts.

With Demarcus Riddick committing just three days prior, Auburn has managed to get two recruits to flip from their biggest rivals in Auburn and Alabama. This could be a sign of what to expect from Hugh Freeze over the next few years.

If Thompson were to stay committed to the Tigers until signing day, he would be the first five-star recruit to sign with Auburn since Owen Pappoe. Thompson would be the first in-state five-star since Bo Nix, Nix was signed the same year as Pappoe.

Thompson, being a Foley native and a larger receiver (6-foot-3, 205 pounds), holds an obvious comparison to Alabama superstar Julio Jones. He has performed at a Jones-like level during his high school career - so far as he has over 1,800 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns in his three years as a starter for the Foley Lions.