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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

BIRMINGHAM – Another one of the top prospects in the county has made his college decision, and once again, it’s a decision to stay in-state and play for Hugh Freeze.

Thompson defensive end Jared Smith announced his commitment to play for the Auburn Tigers on Saturday, Aug. 3 at a ceremony at The Southern Kitchen in downtown Birmingham.

Smith said the Auburn players and coaches created an environment that he wants to join.

“Just this culture they’re bringing down there, just the atmosphere, just the class alone,” Smith said. “They’ve got top guys like Anquon Fegans and (Enterprise safety) Eric Winters, all those top guys. Why not be a part of it?”

Smith is now the third member of the Warriors to commit to Auburn in the past week, joining two of Thompson’s three MaxPreps All-Americans in 2023. Five-star punter and kicker John Alan McGuire committed to the Tigers on Sunday, July 28 before four-star safety Anquon Fegans joined him the next day on Monday, July 29.

Smith is looking forward to playing with multiple members of his alma mater and taking advantage of their common bond in Thompson.

“I’m going to take advantage of it all,” Smith said. “Kaleb Harris, he used to be at Thompson. Just all the Thompson Warriors coming together like Anquon.”

The 6-foot-6, 235-pound edge rusher chose Auburn over Florida State, Georgia, Ole Miss, South Carolina and USC.

Smith, who is entering his first season with the Warriors, entered the day nationally ranked as the No. 19 prospect in the Class of 2025 according to 247Sports and is also ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the state of Alabama. He is considered a five-star prospect with a 98 rating.

Auburn now boasts commitments from eight of the state’s top 10 class of 2025 prospects, including four defensive linemen. He joins Opelika’s Malik Autrey, Highland Home’s Jakaleb Faulk, Parker’s Jordin Crawford and Saraland’s Antonio Coleman as defensive line commitments.

Smith credited the people that Auburn have in the building for creating something that people like him want to be a part of.

“Just the people,” Smith said. “Every place is almost the same, just the people that are inside it make it special. Coach (Josh) Aldridge, coach (DJ) Durkin just got there from (Texas) A&M. They’re the people. I have a good relationship with coach Durkin, and I feel like he can get me to the next level of where I’m trying to go.”

With his recruitment journey now behind him, Smith can now focus on leading the Warriors defensive front in their quest for another state championship.