Auburn and Alabama boast one of the most intense in-state rivalries in college sports. When they’re not competing on the football field, they’re battling it out in recruiting. On Monday, the Tigers emerged victorious over the Crimson Tide, securing one of the top linebackers in the south.
Both Auburn and Alabama are adjusting to new coaches within their programs.
Auburn’s head coach, Hugh Freeze, assumed the position last season. In his inaugural season with the team, Auburn concluded with a 6-7 record, culminating in a loss to Maryland in the Music City Bowl. Freeze brings prior SEC experience from his tenure as head coach at Ole Miss for five seasons from 2012-2016, where he demonstrated familiarity with recruiting in the South. Conversely, Alabama’s new head coach, Kalen DeBoer, is experiencing his first stint as a head coach in the South. While he has performed admirably, he couldn’t prevent Auburn from securing a four-star linebacker.
The Tigers have secured Tyler Lockhart.
Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; A detailed view of an Auburn Tigers helmet on the sideline of the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
According to On3.com, four-star linebacker Tyler Lockhart has committed to Auburn, selecting the Tigers over schools such as Ole Miss, Mississippi State, LSU, and Alabama.
🚨NEW🚨 4-star LB Tyler Lockhart has committed to Auburn🦅
Read:Â https://t.co/vN8AhZDSyMÂ pic.twitter.com/PAPQnK1omH
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 7, 2024
Lockhart ranks as the 16th linebacker in his class.
According to the On3.com Industry Rankings, Lockhart is ranked as the number 146 overall prospect and the 16th linebacker in the 2025 class. Standing at 6-foot-4, Lockhart hails from Winona, Mississippi, and is ranked sixth in his state. In the previous season, he recorded impressive stats with 100 tackles, including 28 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
Lockhart’s commitment marks the first linebacker addition to the Tigers’ roster for the 2025 cycle, as reported by 247sports.com.