Auburn Is A Top Contender For Mississippi Prep Football Recruit
CARROLLTON, Ga. - After not signing a 2024 running back recruit, the Auburn Tigers would love to add at least one to the 2025 class.
There are several talented running backs the Tigers are evaluating across the South, but one hails from not far away in the Magnolia State. This young man is #58 on ESPN's list of recruits.
Here's what Quitman (Miss.) High School's Akylin Dear has to say about his recruitment after competing in the Under Armour Atlanta Camp. To begin, is staying in the state of Mississippi a major factor for Dear?
"Ain't no big deal, whatever makes my mom happy," Dear said immediately.
As for Auburn, the Tigers are putting in the effort to sign the 5-foot-11 and 205-pound running back.
"Hard, like every day hard," he said of Auburn's effort to land him. There is a certain coach at Auburn that's leading the charge, although he was at Ole Miss for more than a decade prior to coming to the Plains.
"Derrick Nix, coach Nix. Yeah he just left Ole Miss (for Auburn)."
It's a budding relationship.
"No, because he was the wide receiver coach at Ole Miss. So I didn't know him like that. So when he got to Auburn, he started recruiting me. He and I have a good relationship now."
Nix is one of the reasons Dear is taking a high interest in the Tigers. There are more reasons, too.
"I got to," Dear said of visiting Auburn this spring. "That was my dad's favorite school. That was my favorite school growing up, too. I want to go over there and check it out. I haven't ever been (to Auburn)."
As for why Auburn is Dear's favorite school?
"Cam Newton."
Dear plans to take unofficial visits to the following schools.
"First of March I've got Florida. Then on March 23 I've got Florida State. Then, after that I've got Alabama but I don't have the date set up. I'm going to go to Texas A&M, fly out there. Just those for right now."
As for a timeline to make a college choice, Dear plans to take his time.
"Probably the end of my senior year. By December."