In many cases, Auburn High School head football coach Keith Etheredge is hesitant to encourage kids to reclassify and start playing college football early.

The jump from high school to college is a big one and takes plenty of maturing both physically and mentally. With standout running back Omar Mabson II, though, Etheredge isn’t worried.

“Physically, he’s ready. Kid benches 385, he squats whatever you put on the bar. He’s a 4.3, 4.4-40 kid,” Etheredge told AL.com Wednesday. “But you worry more about the mental aspect of it, and he has that. I mean, he’s a 4.0 student. He can sit down and have an adult conversation. So, he’s ready to play college football at the highest level.”

Mabson officially signed with Auburn Wednesday, just over a week after announcing his commitment and almost two months after deciding to reclassify to the class of 2025.

Mabson said the decision to reclassify came down to feeling like he was “mentally and physically ready,” something his head coach echoed.

When asked why he chose Auburn, the 5-foot-9, 210 pound running back mentioned the coaching staff and atmosphere, expressing his excitement to join a second consecutive top 10 recruiting class at Auburn.

“They showed real love from the get-go,” Mabson said. “They just building a dynasty and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Auburn’s 2025 signing class ranks No. 6 in the country in the 247Sports team rankings and No. 8 in On3’s team rankings. It’s the second cycle in a row that the Tigers’ signing class has finished in the top 10.

Mabson is the second running back to sign with Auburn in the 2025 class, joining Alabama’s all-time high school rushing leader Alvin Henderson. Mabson is also one of 12 signees from the state of Alabama in Auburn’s 2025 class.

“They’re not scared to go after the huge names,” Etheredge said of Hugh Freeze and Auburn’s recruiting efforts. “They do a great job of developing those relationships with guys and then turning that into situations where they get a chance to have them on their teams.”

Not only is Mabson an in-state signee, but he’ll only have to travel around 10 minutes down the road from his high school to join the Auburn football program. Despite that, he’s putting an emphasis on not letting being close to home change his attitude.

“Man, I’m still going to college,” Mabson said. “I’m gonna treat it just like I’m out in Kansas or out in California so I’m gonna still treat it like I’m far away.”

At Auburn, he’ll join his high school coach’s son, Camden Etheredge, something Keith Etheredge called a “special situation.”

“If he needs anything, he can just pick up the phone and call,” Etheredge said. “His parents live right here, so he’s two minutes away from his house. So, it’s just a great situation for him and for us.”

Mabson was a star for Auburn High School during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, rushing for 2,798 yards and 45 touchdowns over the two years, according to MaxPreps. During his final season in 2024, Mabson added 1,515 yards and 29 touchdowns, leading Auburn to an undefeated regular season and region championship.

Known primarily for his strength and power as a runner, Etheredge called Mabson a “five-tool kid” who can run for speed, power and catch the ball out of the backfield. Mabson caught 10 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns during the 2024 season.

Freeze also had good things to say about his newest running back, complimenting what he brings both on and off the field.

“He’s an incredible human being from an incredible family who fits our Auburn culture,” Freeze said in a release. “He’s a local kid who knows the passion of this place and how special it’s been when we’ve had great running backs.

“He’s another one who fits that line — a big, physical, strong running back. The thing that stands out the most to me about him is his competitive nature. Whether in the weight room or in workouts, he’s going to push that room to be the best it can be.”

Once he arrives on campus, Mabson will compete in a running back room that features newcomers such as Henderson and UConn transfer Durell Robinson along with returners Damari Alston and Jeremiah Cobb.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m