AUBURN | Auburn's 2025 class couldn't have gotten off to a better start.

Opelika (Ala.) High defensive lineman Malik Autry committed to the Tigers Wednesday.

"I’ve been waiting for this for a long time," said Autry. "Been an Auburn fan since I was real young. To finally be able to lock in and start recruiting for the class of ’25 is a great feeling."

In addition to Auburn, the sophomore already had offers from Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Kentucky, Louisville and Georgia Tech. One of the biggest reasons Autry had for committing this early was to help the Tigers build the '25 class.

"That’s one of the main reasons I was ready to commit so fast just knowing that Hugh Freeze is going to be changing the game and I wanted to be a part of that. I’m going to get out there and start recruiting and turn Auburn around," said Autry.

Freeze along with defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett and assistant D-line coach Vontrell King-Williams spent a lot of time with Autry during his Junior Day visit last Saturday. It was then that he decided to go ahead with his commitment.

"I love both of the D-line coaches," said Autry. "Coach Garrett and Coach Williams. Those are great guys and they’ve been super genuine from the time I met both of them. Coach Williams came up to me and gave me a big ‘ole hug and so did Coach Garrett.

"Coach Freeze, I love what he’s got going on for Auburn. I think he’s going to be better than any coach Auburn has had come through."

While he's not currently ranked, the 6-foot-6 and 280 pound Autry is expected to be one of the top overall prospects in the state of Alabama for the 2025 class. AU is recruiting him to play tackle or strongside end..

"They said it really just depends on how much bigger I get," he said. "Next season I’m planing to slim down some. I’ve got the athleticism to play the outside edge but if I get any bigger it’s probably going to be more inside."

Autry grew up an Auburn fan, attending Saturday's Junior Day and last summer's Big Cat Weekend along with a number of games at Jordan-Hare Stadium including his first one in 2016 as an 8-year old.

"I’ve been to a lot of Auburn games. I’d say at least seven in the last couple of years. That’s not even counting this past season because I didn’t really get invited to that many games, surprisingly," said Autry.

Auburn joins Georgia and Alabama as the only schools in the SEC with a 2025 commitment.