Auburn Reaches An 'Elite' Defensive Back Class Status If KJ Bolden Becomes A Tiger

Auburn's 2024 defensive back class is really good, and KJ Bolden would make it elite

The final piece to Auburn's defensive back class reaching elite status could be current Florida State commitment, KJ Bolden. The #1 safety recruit by each of Rivals, On3, 247, and ESPN is still an option for Hugh Freeze and the Tigers.

To show his interest in the Tigers, Bolden recently tweeted the following picture of Freeze and himself after meeting with the Auburn head coach:

There's been speculation on Bolden signing with any one of Florida State, where's currently committed, Auburn, or Georgia. It's been a long recruiting process to get to this point.

Bolden has been sought after by numerous programs around the country including but not limited to Auburn, Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida State. 

He's recently also had in-home visits with Georgia's Kirby Smart and Florida State's Mike Norvell. To date, Bolden's recruitment has been as highly contested as any prospect in the country and he's expected to make a final decision on Dec. 20, National Signing Day.

Now, let's discuss what Auburn would be combining the 6-foot and 180-pound safety from Buford (Ga.) with if he did flip his verbal commitment from the Seminoles to the Tigers on National Signing Day.

2024 Auburn Tigers Commitment List and Evaluations

Auburn has five verbal commitments for their future secondary as of Dec. 14. It's a list of versatile defensive backs with each one possibly able to play multiple positions for the Tigers. Here's each player that already pledged to Freeze and the Tigers:

Jalyn Crawford

, Cornerback, Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview

A'Mon Lane

, Cornerback, Moody (Ala.) High School 

Kensley Faustin

, Defensive Back, Naples (Fla.) High School

Kaleb Harris

, Safety, Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson 

Laquan Robinson

, Safety, Greenville (Ala.) High School / Goodman (Miss.) Holmes Community College

Now, why Bolden's commitment would solidify Auburn's defensive back class as one of the nation's best. With the all-around talents of the aforementioned five defensive backs, adding them with Bolden provides the Tigers with incredible flexibility with different defensive packages.

Spread-formation football means matchups have been king. A defensive back who's shown the ability to play nickel and safety, as one example, probably has more value than a player who's only been successful as a cornerback, going against the spread. That's why there's good news for the Tigers.

Bolden could play about any skill spot, and each of the other five Auburn defensive back commitments could at least play one additional spot as well. 

For instance, Faustin could be a nickel for the Tigers when they go against a team that uses a tight end or a traditional shifty receiver in the slot. As another example, Robinson could play either safety position by being impactful in the box or playing centerfield. There's also another key component to consider.

Numbers. Auburn's defensive back depth needed upgrading and the first five secondary commitments have helped that department greatly. Bolden would be the icing on the cake and another potential impact recruit for the Tigers.

Bolden signing with Auburn would give the Tigers an outstanding defensive back class; an elite defensive back class. This has been and continues to be a recruitment that Auburn fans should follow closely.

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Recruiting Pages to Bookmark

2024 Auburn Commitments and Evaluations

2025 Auburn Commitments and Evaluations

2026 Auburn Commitments and Evaluations

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