While it’s technically signing day for high school seniors, Auburn football received some good recruiting news for the class of 2025. Opelika defensive tackle Malik Autry became the first commit amongst current sophomores, announcing his commitment via social media.

Autry held offers from Georgia and Kentucky, his recruitment picking up after a season of clogging up rushing lanes for the Bulldogs, per head coach Erik Speakman. Autry is listed as a 6-foot-6, 280-pound defensive tackle and was rated as a four-star by On3. His size has always been a calling card, with Speakman joking that he thought a fourth-grade Autry looked like an adult.

Autry visited Alabama earlier this month but was most recently on the Plains for Auburn’s junior day. The weekend trip paired with a lifelong fandom for the Tigers led to an early decision, Speakman said. Autry is expected to go on visits and still entertain collegiate offers. The earliest he could sign a letter of intent is in 23 months.

Autry may play some offensive line next fall but projects mostly as an interior lineman. He worked on lowering his pad level as part of the Bulldogs’ eight-player rotation. On Sept. 30 against Auburn High, Autry shed a few tackles for a scoop-and-score.

“A really hard worker. A kid who’s always been really big,” Speakman said. “Great job doing what was asked of him. He was taking on double teams. … It wasn’t a glory position.”

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze and defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett have been active in-state and specifically, in Opelika. The Tigers brought in 2023 three-star Brenton Williams in November as part of a rush to the early signing window. Like Williams, Autry has had contact with new Auburn staffers from their time at Liberty.

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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected]