Na’eem Offord
With National Signing Day just around the corner, Auburn is making one last strong push to add the crown jewel to its already impressive 2025 recruiting class. The Tigers’ class currently sits at No. 5 nationally, but they’re aiming higher — and Na’eem Offord, a five-star cornerback from Birmingham, Ala., is at the center of their efforts.
Offord, who has been committed to Ohio State since February 4, 2024, has long been one of the most coveted prospects in the nation. Despite his pledge to the Buckeyes, Auburn has remained relentless in its pursuit of the 6-foot-1 corner, and their persistence could soon pay off. On November 25, On3’s Steve Wiltfong logged an expert prediction for Auburn to flip Offord from Ohio State, giving the Tigers a 60% chance of landing the five-star prospect.
🚨NEWS🚨 On3’s @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for Auburn to flip Ohio State Five-Star Plus+ CB commit Na’eem Offord🦅
Intel: https://t.co/AY96T0ysAf pic.twitter.com/wU8itsyB0Z
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) November 25, 2024
Offord’s recruitment is heating up as National Signing Day (December 4) draws closer. According to a recent interview with Justin Lee of AuburnLive, Offord narrowed his decision down to three schools: Auburn, Ohio State, and Oregon. The Tigers have clearly made a strong impression, as Offord was in attendance for Auburn’s thrilling four-overtime win over Texas A&M — his fourth visit to Jordan-Hare Stadium this season. His presence at such a monumental game further signals that Auburn is very much in the mix for his services.
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze recognized the importance of the moment and the victory, not just for the current team but also for the recruiting landscape. “I’m just so thankful,” Freeze said. “Thankful to be at Auburn, and thankful to give our fans a win like that. Hopefully, it’s a sign of many to come. Lots of recruits in that locker room. They need to come join us and help us to continue to build our roster so we can have more nights like this.”
If Offord decides to flip to Auburn, he would become the third five-star recruit in the Tigers’ 2025 class, joining the ranks of defensive lineman Jared Smith, who is currently Auburn’s highest-rated recruit at No. 25 nationally. But Offord would surpass him in both ranking and prestige, making him the new crown jewel of Auburn’s recruiting class. Not only would his commitment vault Auburn to No. 2 in the nation — ahead of Ohio State, Alabama, and Texas — it would also make Offord the fifth-highest-rated recruit in Auburn history, a spot currently held by five-star linebacker Tray Blackmon from the 2005 class.
For Auburn, adding Offord would be a monumental win, both in terms of recruiting and on-field potential. As the No. 1 cornerback in the country and the No. 4 overall player according to ESPN, Offord is one of the most complete defensive prospects in the nation. His elite skill set, combined with Auburn’s strong showing on the recruiting trail this year, could set the stage for a resurgence in the SEC and beyond.
What’s perhaps most impressive about Auburn’s recruitment of Offord is the work Freeze and his staff have done within the state of Alabama. The Tigers have dominated in-state recruiting, with nine of the top 10 prospects in Alabama already committed to the program. Adding Offord to that mix would solidify Auburn’s standing as a recruiting powerhouse in the state, further establishing Freeze’s culture and vision for the future.
As National Signing Day approaches, all eyes will be on Offord’s final decision. If Auburn can secure his commitment, it will be a massive statement about the program’s future and its ability to compete at the highest level. The Tigers are already building something special, and adding a player of Offord’s caliber would be a major step forward in their quest to return to national prominence.
