BREAKING: Auburn football lands another commitment of 5-star QB

It was a highly anticipated week for Auburn football, as all attention was focused on the quarterback situation. Head coach Hugh Freeze ultimately decided to start redshirt freshman Hank Brown over Payton Thorne for the game against the New Mexico Lobos.

The Tigers were eager to bounce back from a tough home loss to Cal, and fans were excited to see Brown make his starting debut in the iconic orange and blue.

But the weekend brought more than just the game. Earlier that day, four-star linebacker Elijah Melendez committed to Auburn. Hailing from Kissimmee, Florida, Melendez is ranked as the No. 17 linebacker in the 2025 class and the No. 23 prospect from Florida.

Melendez had originally committed to the Miami Hurricanes in December 2023, but Auburn’s persistent recruitment paid off. He decommitted from Miami in late August and officially committed to Auburn during his weekend visit, announcing his decision before the game against New Mexico.

A key factor in his decision was the relationship he built with Auburn’s defensive coordinator, DJ Durkin. “It feels like family here, and I wanted to play in the SEC,” Melendez told Auburn Rivals. “I believe Auburn and Coach Durkin can really develop me and help me get to the NFL.”

Despite the defense’s recent struggles, Melendez was impressed with Hank Brown’s performance in his debut and Auburn’s win. He also confirmed that his recruitment is now officially closed, with no plans to visit other schools.