The Auburn Tigers’ impressive Class of 2025 recruiting haul took a hit on Tuesday evening as offensive lineman Spencer Dowland from Athens (Ala.) High School announced his decommitment from the program. Dowland, a highly regarded 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive tackle, shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “After much thought and prayer and many talks with my family, I have decided to decommit from Auburn University. Thank you to Coach Freeze and the entire coaching staff.” His decision marks a significant shift for Auburn’s recruiting class, which had been gaining momentum.
Dowland had been a steadfast Auburn commitment for several months, visiting the Tigers’ campus multiple times and maintaining a positive relationship with head coach Hugh Freeze and the Auburn coaching staff. He was considered a key piece for Auburn’s future offensive line, and his decommitment raises questions about the Tigers’ recruiting trajectory. Despite his loyalty to Auburn, rumors had swirled recently suggesting that Dowland might reconsider his commitment, with reports indicating that Tennessee and other programs were in contact with the highly-touted lineman. These speculations now appear to have some validity, as Dowland is scheduled to visit Mississippi State officially on November 22. While the door is still open for Dowland to play in the SEC, it may be with a different team, potentially keeping him within the Southeastern Conference but away from the Plains.
Dowland’s recruitment had been highly competitive. In addition to Auburn, the Athens native held offers from other prominent programs, including Florida State, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Troy, and UAB. His commitment was a notable win for Auburn when he initially pledged to the Tigers, as he was ranked the 40th best offensive tackle by 247Sports. This made him a valuable target for Auburn’s already solid 2025 class, which remains strong despite his decommitment.
At the time of Dowland’s decommitment, Auburn’s 2025 class remained ranked No. 5 nationally by 247Sports, a testament to the overall strength of the recruiting efforts under Coach Freeze. Though Dowland’s departure is a setback, Auburn has not been significantly impacted in terms of its overall standing or future success in the recruiting landscape. The Tigers will now turn their attention to finding a replacement for the talented lineman, while also working to maintain the commitments of other key recruits.
