Demarcus Riddick, a class of 2024 5-star rated linebacker in the 247Sports composite rankings, announced his commitment to Auburn on Wednesday. The Chilton County High School player’s announcement is a major win for Auburn just days before its Big Cat Weekend recruiting event, which Riddick is expected to attend.

Here’s three things you should know about Auburn’s newest commitment.

Riddick is Auburn’s highest-rated recruit since 2019

Yeah, it really has been that long. The last time Auburn got a commitment from a recruit with a 5-star composite ranking was Owen Pappoe in 2019. Funny enough, Pappoe and Riddick are actually quite similar players. Both are regarded as highly athletic linebacker prospects.

Based on the 247Sports class calculator, Riddick’s commitment could vault Auburn into the top 30 recruiting classes nationally for 2024. Though Auburn’s 2024 class is not large in quantity by this point — Riddick is Auburn’s 12 commitment for this cycle — it is quite strong in quality. Before Riddick’s commitment, Auburn already had a top 10 class based on average player rating, according to 247Sports.

Auburn beat its two biggest rivals for Riddick’s commitment

The means of Riddick’s commitment to Auburn may be more notable than the ends. Riddick had been committed to Georgia for close to a year before Wednesday. And while Georgia was still in contention for Riddick, it became clear his choice was going to come down to the two biggest programs in his home state: the Crimson Tide and the Tigers.

Auburn won out.

But it’s been a while since Auburn was successful in a direct recruiting battle with Alabama for a player of this caliber. Beating out Georgia and Alabama could be a turning point for Auburn. Riddick’s commitment could open the doors to other top Auburn targets like 5-star in-state wide receiver Perry Thompson, a current Crimson Tide commit.

Riddick’s stats back up his ranking. His experience, too.

Many times, recruiting rankings have a lot to do with the potential of a player who may or may not have blossomed in high school. Coaches will see a freak athlete and try to mold them into a football player. And while Riddick’s coaches do laud his athleticism, he has the numbers to support his ranking. And he still has his senior year of high school to go.

Last year, Riddick had 109 tackles, including 19 for a loss, and seven sacks. He also had 11 quarterback hurries.

Are stats from his actual position not enough? Well, Riddick has played offense too. He also played a bit as a returner for Chilton County. Oh, and he plays basketball.

He’ll only be a linebacker in college. But his experience doing far more than that now is a testament to the athlete Auburn is getting.

In an interview with AL.com, Morton called Riddick a “mature” player who is going to make an impact on and off the field.