Which of Auburn’s recent signees are playing in Saturday’s All American Bowl?
The 24th annual All American Bowl will kick off Saturday afternoon from San Antonio’s Alamodome.
The East vs. West showdown has long been an opportunity for high school football players to formally put a bookend to their high school careers as they prepare to transition to their college playing days.
Set to celebrate “high school excellence both on and off the field,” Saturday’s All American Bowl is advertised to feature the top 100 senior football players from across the country.
That said, it should come to the delight of Tigers fans that five members of Auburn’s most recent signing class are featured on one of the game’s two rosters. Here’s a look at who made the cut.
4-star QB Walker White; Team West, No. 15
Taking up one of three quarterback spots on Team West’s roster is Auburn’s 4-star quarterback signee Walker White, who officially signed his letter of intent on Dec. 20 after being committed to Hugh Freeze and the Tigers since Feb. 3.
“Walker White, I think is going to be a star,” Freeze said during his National Signing Day press conference. “I think he’s got all the attributes of what a quarterback should like. I think he’s a true Auburn man. Obviously don’t know how quick he will adjust to this game, but I think he’s got all the skill sets to do that.”
In his senior season at Little Rock Christian Academy in Little Rock, Ark., White completed 61% of his passes, totaling 2,282 yards, 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Regarded as a dual-threat quarterback, White added another 346 yards and nine touchdowns with his legs.
Since arriving to San Antonio, White has impressed.
4-star OL DeAndre Carter; Team West, No. 72
Auburn 4-star offensive lineman signee DeAndre Carter claimed one of the 11 offensive linemen spots for Team West after a stellar high school career with California powerhouse Mater Dei High School.
Ranked as the third-best interior offensive lineman and the 12th-ranked prospect out of the state of California, Freeze and the Tigers were persistent in their pursuit of Carter, who finally committed to Auburn on Sept. 3 and later signed on Dec. 20.
“DeAndre is one, I think he’s going to be an NFL inside guard (or) center,” Freeze said. “Love him as a kid.”
Measuring 6-foot-4 and more than 350 pounds, Carter has been widely commended for his ability to move laterally.
4-star DL Amaris Williams; Team East, No. 14
Amaris Williams, who served as Auburn’s surprise flip on signing day, will be one of nine defensive linemen to suit up for Team East on Saturday afternoon.
Committed to Florida heading into National Signing Day on Dec. 20, Williams made for a huge recruiting win for Freeze and the Tigers as Williams ranked as the eighth-best defensive lineman in the cycle and was the No. 1 prospect out of North Carolina.
“I mean, to get Amaris — what is he, the No. 37 player in the country? No. 34. The 34th player in the country. That’s pretty big,” Freeze said of Williams. “That’s a difference-maker type of kid. When you get the 34th-ranked player in the country, that should bump us up in the rankings, I would think. Those are rewarding.”
During his senior season at Clinton High School, Williams was a two-way standout doubling as a defensive lineman and running back. MaxPreps credits Williams with 34 total tackles, 20 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks in 2023.
4-star LB Demarcus Riddick; Team East, No. 6
Wearing the No. 6 jersey for Team East, 4-star linebacker Demarcus Riddick is one of 14 total linebackers to put on an All-American jersey Saturday afternoon.
As some might recall, Riddick was one of the first recruiting dominoes to fall for Freeze and the Tigers, who beat out Alabama and Georgia for Riddick’s commitment on July 26. Riddick, who ranked as the fifth-best linebacker and the sixth-best prospect out of Alabama, had previously been committed to Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs.
Having signed his letter of intent on Dec. 20, Riddick has taken up the opportunity to get to campus early and practiced with the Tigers during Auburn’s bowl game prep.
During his senior campaign at Chilton County High School, Riddick tallied 92 total tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, three sacks, 14 quarterback hurries, and interception and a fumble recovery.
4-star DB Kensley Faustin; Team East, No. 22
Taking up one of the 11 defensive back spots on Team East’s roster is 4-star defensive back Kensley Faustin, who committed to Auburn on June 13 and stayed solid with his pledge until he put pen to paper on Dec. 20.
Listed as a safety by 247 Sports, Faustin ranked as the 57th-best safety in the country and the 71st-ranked prospect out of the state of Florida.
In his senior season at Naples High School, Faustin tallied 65 total tackles, six tackles for a loss, broke up 12 passes and tallied five interceptions.