The Auburn Tigers are positioning themselves as a leading destination for one of the nation’s top defensive prospects. Four-star edge rusher Trent Henderson has included Auburn among his top choices, along with powerhouse programs such as Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Texas, USC, and Vanderbilt.
Henderson, ranked as the No. 12 overall prospect in the country, is also considered the No. 3 edge rusher and the top recruit from Florida, according to 247 Sports. As of now, there is no crystal ball prediction from the outlet regarding his final decision. However, On3 currently gives Auburn the best odds of securing his commitment at 44.1%, followed by Alabama at 25.9%.
Henderson is scheduled to visit Auburn on May 16, which could be a key moment in the Tigers’ pursuit of the talented defender. If he commits to Auburn, he would become the second edge rusher in the Tigers’ 2026 recruiting class, joining four-star Hezekiah Harris, who is also ranked among the top 10 edge rushers in the nation.
Auburn has established itself as an attractive destination for defensive talent. Out of the six players currently committed in the 2026 cycle, four are defensive recruits, and three of them hold four-star rankings. This defensive-heavy class has contributed to Auburn securing the No. 11 spot nationally in the recruiting rankings, according to 247 Sports. The Tigers had been inside the top 10, but with minimal recent movement in their recruiting efforts, other schools have climbed the rankings.
The last major commitment for Auburn came on January 11, when wide receiver Devin Carter pledged to the program. In the 2025 recruiting cycle, Auburn finished with the No. 6 class in the nation, reinforcing its ability to attract elite talent. That class included two edge rushers—one from high school and another via the transfer portal. Among them, Jared Smith stood out as a top-10 edge prospect in the 2025 class, while Chris Murray transferred from Sam Houston in early January after a brief stint in the portal.
With Henderson’s recruitment heating up and his Auburn visit on the horizon, the Tigers are in a strong position to bolster their defensive front for the future.
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