Auburn DL commit TJ Lindsey shares why he chose the Tigers

Hugh Freeze's honesty and Lindsey's relationship with Jeremy Garrett were two big factors in his decision.

Lance Dawe | Aug 12, 2023

Auburn DL commit TJ Lindsey shares why he chose the Tigers /

In this story:

Auburn Tigers

Auburn has landed another four-star to add to their 2024 class.

TJ Lindsey, a defensive lineman from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, has committed to Auburn, per his social media.

Lindsey was asked in a recent interview about what he likes about Freeze, and how their interactions have gone.

"He's very brutally honest," Lindsey said. "And that's what I love about him. Very good man, too, you can tell. He loves to hear about the people he knows and coaches. Very honest, he'll give it to you straight."

According to Lindsey, that's one of the biggest things that sold him on coming to play for Auburn.

"With me, it was good because they wanted me in prime position to tell me everything and how I benefit."

The honesty wasn't the only thing that sold Lindsey. His relationship with defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett also strongly pushed him towards the Tigers.

"We're locked in, man. (Garrett is) my guy," Lindsey said. "That's a key reason I went to Auburn, too. Since January, we've had the longest talks, but they don't even feel like 30-40 minute calls. About regular things too, I mean we rarely ever talked about football. That's just the type of relationship we have and the comradery we built."

Lindsey is the No. 304 overall prospect, the No. 34 DL and the No. 45 player in Florida according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

He likes Auburn's "real NFL" scheme, and likes where the Tigers want to put him on the d-line.

"They're multi-scheme, multi-front, that's what I love about them, it's like real NFL, pro type of situation, they do everything," Lindsey said.

If he had his choice, he believes he would play in a 4-3 and play a 5 or 9 - and that is where Auburn wants him.

The most interesting thing he's learned about Auburn since visiting back in June?

"The town isn't as small as you'd think," Lindsey said. "It kind of reminds me of parts of my hometown. The fans, they're definitely the craziest fans I've experienced - online, in person, everything. That's the real deal."

The Tigers won the race, but Texas and Miami were close behind all the way.

"Texas was close, man," Lindsey said. "It was a race at the end, really. It really could have went either way for a while but I just think I've just picked Auburn, and I'm a little more comfortable with that."