It’s been sometime since Auburn fans have felt this optimistic about the trajectory of the Tigers’ football program — and rightfully so.

Auburn football wasn’t much of a player in major recruiting battles during former head coach Bryan Harsin’s tenure, which lasted a season and a half. But since first-year head coach Hugh Freeze has taken over on The Plains, the times have changed.

Last week’s success got underway Wednesday when Demarcus Riddick, a 5-star linebacker, flipped his commitment from Georgia to Auburn and gave the Tigers their highest-rated prospect since 2019.

With his pledge to Freeze and the Tigers, Riddick also spurned Alabama — a program that was included in Riddick’s Top 3.

That was the first domino to fall for the Tigers last week.

Coming into Big Cat Weekend, there was a lot of buzz around the status of 5-star wide receiver Perry Thompson, who had been committed to Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide since June of 2022. Considering this, it felt significant when Thompson announced he’d be attending Auburn’s annual recruiting event over Alabama’s, which took place on the same day.

The Tigers had already picked up a commitment early Saturday afternoon as local, 4-star athlete Malcolm Simmons committed during Big Cat Weekend, as many suspected he would.

As the early evening approached, prospects were enjoying time poolside when Thompson, who was flanked by Freeze, announced his commitment to the Tigers. After a quick celebration, which was documented on a handful of recruits’ Instagram Lives, Freeze was tossed for a quick plunge into the pool.

The commitments of Riddick, Simmons and Thompson have put Auburn back on the recruiting map. The Tigers are dangerous on the recruiting trail again.

Auburn hosted a number of other big name recruits over the weekend, including 5-star athlete KJ Bolden, who is primarily being recruited as a safety, and 4-star offensive lineman DeAndre Carter.

Since the weekend, both Bolden and Carter have gushed about their time on The Plains.

Bolden told Auburn Undercover’s Christian Clemente that Freeze nearly had him ready to commit to the Tigers on Saturday.

Unfortunately for Auburn fans, no knee-jerk decision was made and they’ll have to wait to tune into Bolden’s commitment on August 5, when he’ll choose from schools like Auburn, Alabama, Florida State and Georgia. As of Monday morning, the Bulldogs are still the favorites to land Bolden.

Carter, on the other hand, has been predicted to commit to the Tigers after his visit this weekend.

Coming from Santa Ana, Calif., Big Cat Weekend was Carter’s second visit to The Plains since June 16, when he took an official visit.

At 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds, the commitment of Carter would be a big foundational piece for the Tigers’ offensive lines of the future.