5-Star WR Sends Auburn Clear Message Before Alabama Game
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The 5-6 Auburn Tigers are gearing up for a Week 14 matchup against the 9-2 and No. 10-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. It’ll be the Tigers’ third game since the firing of head coach Hugh Freeze on Nov. 2.
Moving on from a head coach can have a ripple effect on other areas of the program, including its high school recruiting. Auburn is looking to hold together its 2026 cycle, which ranks No. 12 in the SEC and No. 30 in the nation.
Jase Mathews, whom Rivals places as a five-star recruit and the No. 3 wide receiver in the nation, is a big piece to that cycle. He has been committed to Auburn since Aug. 8.
He’s a talented player who has recorded his best season as a junior for Greene County High School (Mississippi) with 68 receptions for 1,138 yards and 15 touchdowns.
According to Rivals’ Chad Simmons, the 6-foot-1.5 and 195-pound wide receiver will be in attendance to watch the Tigers take on the Crimson Tide. While other teams reportedly pursue a flip, Mathews revealed to Simmons he’s still locked in with Auburn.
“I am still feeling good about Auburn,” Mathews said. “It is still my top school. My commitment is still strong.”
It’s a positive sign for the Tigers, who have only lost one recruit in the 2026 cycle since firing Freeze. That comes in the form of three-star running back Eric Perry, who is now committed to the Memphis Tigers.
However, teams are still going after Mathews. In an article from Rivals’ Zach Berry, he reports that “Ole Miss has really turned up the heat on the in-state prospect.”
The Tigers being able to hold onto Mathews is especially important considering he’s the only wide receiver committed in the 2026 recruiting class.
As Auburn looks to snap a five-game losing streak against Alabama, an upset win to earn bowl game eligibility could go a long way in impressing recruits on the fence.
ESPN BET places the Tigers as 6.5-point underdogs. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium, airing on ABC.
Related: Ohio State Shares Julian Sayin Update Before Michigan Game
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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