Bryce Deas, a versatile defensive athlete from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, has committed to Auburn University.
Deas, who participated in Auburn’s camp last Sunday and received an offer, announced his decision on Tuesday via social media. He opted for Auburn over offers from Maryland, Penn State, USC, Syracuse, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Colorado, Virginia Tech, and others.
“I love it at Auburn,” he told Auburn Live. “It’s like family. You can see it in the coaches. They really care about you. They want to make you a better person and a better player.”
Deas stood out at Auburn’s Elite Camp, running a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and impressing in both a private workout and the camp setting. Auburn defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, who recruits Maryland for the Tigers, informed Deas on Monday of his offer.
“I knew when I got the offer that I wanted to make Auburn my next home,” Deas said. “They want the same thing I want. They want to win and they want a winning program. That’s what I want.”
Durkin played a significant role in Deas’s decision to commit to Auburn.
“Coach Durkin is a student of the game,” he said. “I love to just get in a room with him and pick his brain, know his tendencies and what he wants on the field. I just like to talk to him and talk ball.”
Deas mentioned that Durkin sees him fitting into several positions within Auburn’s defensive scheme.
“Coach Durkin told me he didn’t know where to put me, but that he wanted me,” Deas said. “He told me I could play will backer, star … he just knows I’m going to play somewhere.”
Deas plans to return to Auburn for Big Cat on July 27.
“I might take another visit, but if I do, I’d just be enjoying the process,” he said. “I’m locked in with Auburn. I love Auburn. I’m comfortable here. It feels like home.”
Deas and his teammate, four-star cornerback Blake Woodby, who visited Auburn recently and plans to return for Big Cat, are both on track to graduate in December and enroll in college in January.
According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Deas is ranked as the No. 26 athlete in the country, No. 556 overall recruit in his class, and No. 18 in Maryland.
