One of the nation’s top safeties for the 2026 recruiting cycle is close to announcing his commitment, and Auburn remains a key contender in the race.
[autotag]Zelus Hicks[/autotag], a four-star safety from Carrollton High School (Ga.) tells On3’s Chad Simmons that a commitment date is coming soon and that Auburn remains in the top five list of schools that he is considering.
“I love how coaches are reaching out. I can see who is into me and who isn’t,” Hicks said in a recent interview with On3. “Tennessee, Ohio State, Texas, Georgia, Auburn, and a few others have done a great job in the last few weeks. It helps with relationships and it shows me a lot about who really wants me. That is helping with my decision.”
Hicks says that he wants to commit some time over the next two months, but wants to discuss the positives and negatives of every school with his father before ultimately deciding where to go. What will the winning school possess? Hicks says that he wants to attend the school that provides the best fit for his skillset.
“I am still talking with colleges about how I fit into the scheme, if the staff will be there when I get there and things like that,” Hicks said. “Committing and then decommitting is not something I want to do, so with me thinking about committing early, there are still some big questions for me to get the answers to.”
According to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, Auburn is the frontrunner with a 78.2% forecast. 247Sports does not have a crystal ball prediction for Hicks at the time of this post. Hicks is scheduled to visit the Plains for the game against Oklahoma at the end of September. Could a positive outcome ultimately lead Auburn to land Hicks?
Hicks is the No. 12 overall recruit from the 2026 class according to Rivals, and ranks as high as No. 1 at his position. Auburn’s 2026 recruiting class currently ranks No. 1 with six commitments, three of whom are four-star defenders.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__