In today’s edition of Auburn Tigers News, former Georgia Tech commit Sam Turner flips to Auburn football and Hugh Freeze talks about some true freshmen in the secondary

Thursday evening, the Auburn football team got some good news. 3-star wide receiver Sam Turner, who had been committed to Georgia Tech since the early summer, flipped his commitment to the Tigers.

Ranked as the #70 wide receiver in the class of 2025 and the #52 recruit out of the state of Georgia, Turner was offered by Auburn mid-summer and made an appearance on campus for Big Cat Weekend at the end of July. Since then, Auburn football wide receivers coach Marcus Davis hasn’t let up, and it was enough for Turner to make the move to the Plains.

“What stands out about him is his faith,” Turner said previously, per Auburn Undercover. “He leads on faith. That’s big for me and my family. That’s what he preached today and the culture. Just the tradition and trying to build on that. He said Coach Freeze has produced a lot of receivers like Van Jefferson and DK Metcalf and Laquon Treadwell, Elijah Moore. It’s a place of development for wide receivers and I believe that.”

Hugh Freeze on young secondary

Auburn football’s secondary was always going to be a concern heading into the 2024 season after the loss of so many starters to the NFL, including Nehemiah Pritchett, DJ James, and Jaylin Simpson. The positions would be filled with young guys who have the talent but lack the experience.

Now, halfway into the season, a trio of freshmen are standing out by stepping up to the plate. Kaleb Harris has played more snaps than anyone on the defense besides senior captain Jerrin Thompson, and has been called the most physical back by Hugh Freeze. Jay Crawford was moved to the starting lineup after the devastating injury to Champ Anthony earlier this season and Kensley Louidor-Faustin saw an increase in action against Georgia last weekend.

Despite their young age, Freeze has been impressed by the way they’ve stepped up in the Tigers’ time of need and he sees a bright future for the trio.

“They’re really talented kids and we’re looking forward to the future with them,” said AU coach Hugh Freeze, per Auburn Rivals. “We still make some freshmen mistakes, for sure, but the experience they’re getting right now is invaluable.”