First-class DE Waller most current hire to flip to Auburn
Blake Baumgartner, ESPN Staff WriterNov 11, 2023, 09:06 PM ET Auburn coach Hugh Freeze’s fondness for getting prominent potential customers to reconsider continued Saturday, when luxury defensive end Jamonta Waller changed his pledge from Florida to Auburn.Waller, who participates in
Picayune Memorial High School in Mississippi, had actually been dedicated to Billy Napier and the Gators given that June 19. The No. 18 overall possibility in 2024, Waller is among two five-star employees in Florida’s third-ranked class, in addition to quarterback D.J. Lagway, who is No. 16 overall. He is the 3rd top-45 player to flip to Auburn since late July, signing up with outdoors linebacker Demarcus Riddick (No. 44 total ), who flipped from Georgia on July 26, and wide receiver Perry Thompson(No. 43 overall), who turned from Alabama on July 29. Editor’s Picks 1 Associated The addition of Waller reinforces a 18th-ranked class that now has 8 ESPN 300 players in it
. If Waller indications a letter of intent, he’ll be the very first first-class prospect to sign to come down to the Plains because outside linebacker Owen Pappoe (No. 8 general)checked in 2019. In 10 games for the Maroon Tide, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Waller had 56 tackles(31 solo)with 19 takes on for loss and 9 sacks.Auburn’s defense entered into this week
3rd in the SEC in pass defense (202.8 YPG ), however its 21 sacks were tied with Mississippi State for eighth in the conference. Waller and Riddick will give defensive coordinator Ron Roberts two solid foundation for the future.Freeze’s first year with the Tigers(6-4, 3-4 SEC )has actually been a little irregular, however a 48-10 dominance on the road at Arkansas on Saturday marked their 3rd straight success.
Quarterback Payton Thorne had 251 overall lawns and 4 total goals (3 passing)in the win, while the defense had 5 sacks, forced 2 turnovers and held the Razorbacks to 255 total yards.Thorne, who moved from Michigan State in the offseason and has actually split time with Robby Ashford, has actually now tossed for numerous goals in 3 straight games, consisting of three touchdowns apiece in wins over Mississippi State and Arkansas.