Auburn has primarily recruited the southeast under [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] but the Tigers have shown they are willing to go anywhere in the country to land an elite player.
In the 2024 cycle that was four-star offensive lineman DeAndre Carter, a California native, and in 2025 they are once again going back to California. This time it’s for quarterback [autotag]TJ Lateef[/autotag], a four-star prospect who recently included Auburn in his top seven schools.
Lateef hasn’t visited Auburn but he has been keeping his eye on the Tigers and he told On3’s Cole Pinkston that he’s liked what they are building.
“Their recruiting class that they have in the 2024 class, I just feel like Hugh Freeze has something up his sleeve and I just want to be a part of it,” Lateef said. “I feel like the recruiting he has been doing with the portal, the 2025 class, and I know he has an early 2026 wide receiver commit. I feel like he has some guys coming in that I feel like I would be able to blend with.”
Lateef is the No. 232 overall player and No. 18 quarterback in the On3 industry ranking. He is also the No. 21 player from California.
While some players would be hesitant to leave their home state, Lateef is excited about the opportunity and thinks playing in the state of Alabama would be great for him.
“No, I think that is where I need to be, to be honest,” Lateef said. “I just feel like you guys breed football out there. Not that they don’t breed it out here, but I just feel like that is where the dogs come out of.”
He had a strong junior season for Orange Lutheran, completing 63% (152-241) of his passes for 1,965 yards and 13 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He also rushed for 230 yards and five touchdowns.
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