A-List No. 1: How big was Demarcus Riddick's flip to Auburn?

The A-List is AL.com’s ranking of the top 15 senior prospects in the state of Alabama.

Chilton County coach Marvin Morton could sense something different about star Demarcus Riddick following his high-profile commitment flip from Georgia to Auburn earlier this summer.

“After the ceremony, I could just tell there was a huge sigh of relief to get the whole recruiting deal behind him,” Morton said this week. “I think he really felt like this time he picked the place for him, the place he felt was home. Now, he can focus on his senior year at Chilton County and the things he can do to elevate the team to bigger heights this year.”

Riddick, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker, officially changed his longstanding commitment to Georgia on July 26, sparking a wave of positive summer recruiting news for Hugh Freeze and Auburn.

“Should Auburn retain Riddick, which would be my best guess at the moment, it would be critical for the strength and perception of the class and beyond,” said John Garcia Jr., national college football recruiting analyst for Rivals. “Few expect the 2023 season to go very well for Auburn, at least compared to usual expectations, so the highest-ranked recruit sticking around and believing in the future despite an unideal present could go a long way, especially in a class littered with fellow in-state recruits.”

Randy Kennedy, sports talk radio host in Mobile and AL.com recruiting correspondent, said there is no way to overestimate what Riddick would mean to this Auburn class.

“Just this week, we heard (Lipscomb Academy) star quarterback recruit Deuce Knight talk about the commitment of Riddick and Foley’s Perry Thompson as proof that it was cool again for a 5-star recruit to sign with Auburn,” Kennedy said. “That has not been the case for many years. It certainly hasn’t been true for the best players from the state of Alabama.”

It appears Riddick is solidly committed to the Tigers. He told On3 following Chilton County’s jamboree game last week that he was still glad he changed his commitment.

“To be honest with you, that is where I wanted to go for the longest time,” he said. “I just had to keep it hid from everybody.”

The Chilton County standout is the No. 1 player on AL.com’s A-List of the top 15 seniors in the state. He ranks No. 3 at his position in the nation, according to 247 sports, and No. 46 overall. If he indeed signs with Auburn, he will be the first top-ranked player in the 11-year history of the A-List to be a Tiger.

“On the field, of course, Riddick provides true three-down value to Auburn once he makes the transition,” Garcia said. “He can work sideline to sideline, he can cover and he can rush the passer, all elements necessary for stout defenses in the modern college game. As Riddick’s frame fills out and he settles on one role as opposed to many at the prep level, the learning curve may be a quick study, enabling him to fly around and make plays like the best linebackers in the country do.”

Riddick finished his junior season with 109 tackles, including 19 for a loss, and seven sacks. He also had 11 QB hurries. Morton hopes to see more of the same when Chilton County opens the season at home against Bibb County on Friday.

“I expect him to have his best season — not just statistically – but also be that true senior leader,” he said. “I can’t wait to see how he leads this team this fall. He’s already been doing that a lot this summer. I’ve been coaching 11 years, and he is certainly one of the top guys I’ve seen as far as athletic ability.”

At Chilton County, Riddick will primarily play inside linebacker but also can come off the edge when needed and even play safety.

“His flexibility allows him to play on all three levels of the defense,” Morton said. “He’ll also play some offense and special teams. Demarcus is very unselfish. If we need him in a certain position, he will play that position and play it to the best of his ability. When we need a big play, he makes it.”

Morton said he believes it won’t take Riddick long to contribute when he gets to Auburn.

“He could definitely fight for a starting position as early as his freshman year,” he said. “He will almost certainly be used on special teams. On defense, he could play inside or outside as needed.”

A-LIST NO. 1: DEMARCUS RIDDICK, CHILTON COUNTY

Position: Linebacker

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 220

College status: Committed to Auburn

Randy Kennedy’s scouting report: Before Demarcus Riddick, the last player Auburn signed who was heavily pursued by both Alabama and Georgia was Derrick Brown in 2016. Not coincidentally, Brown was Auburn’s most recent first-round NFL draft pick in 2020 along with Noah Igbinoghene. Yes, stars matter. Like Brown, Riddick is a 5-star recruit who chose the Tigers over the Tide and Bulldogs. Riddick is a freak athlete whose tweener size means he will be utilized in a variety of ways as a defensive disruptor.

PREVIOUS A-LIST NO. 1 PLAYERS

(The A-List is always updated after the season. These were the No. 1 players the summer before their senior years along with their high school alma mater and the college team they initially signed with.)

2012: Reuben Foster (Auburn High, Alabama)

2013: Marlon Humphrey (Hoover, Alabama)

2014: Lester Cotton (Central-Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

2015: Daron Payne (Shades Valley, Alabama)

2016: LaBryan Ray (James Clemens, Alabama)

2017: Justyn Ross (Central-Phenix City, Clemson)

2018: Clay Webb (Oxford, Georgia)

2019: Demouy Kennedy (Theodore, Alabama)

2020: Kool-Aid McKinstry (Pinson Valley, Alabama)

2021: Jeremiah Alexander (Thompson, Alabama)

2022: Peter Woods (Thompson, Clemson)

THE 2024 A-LIST