Auburn begins its 2024 season Saturday against Alabama A&M.

The future of the program, however, got their seasons started last week.

High school football returned in several states Friday, as Auburn commits across the 2025 and 2026 class took to the field to open their seasons. There were some big-time performances across the board, but the Big Cat of the Week goes to Thompson's Jared Smith for his game against Grayson.

Jared Smith, 2025 DE — Alabaster, Ala.

Thompson may have lost an overtime thriller 15-14 to Grayson (Ga.), but the Auburn defensive end commit put on a show on national television. Smith recorded 15 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks in the Warriors' season-opener.

Quite a start to his senior season.

Alvin Henderson, 2025 RB — Elba, Ala.

The talented running back out of Elba picked up right where he left off in the Tigers' 50-22 road victory over Luverne. Henderson carried the ball 19 times, recording 325 yards rushing and scoring five touchdowns.

Ryan Ghea, 2025 TE — Milton, Ga.

Milton begins the season 2-0 following its trip the Sunshine State, where it defeated American Heritage 37-28 on the road. Ghea recorded his first reception of the season in the win, a 15-yard catch.

Hollis Davidson, 2025 TE — Peachtree City, Ga.

McIntosh hosted Sandy Creek Friday and it didn't go the Chiefs' way, as Davidson and his team dropped their first game of the season 54-22. However, Davidson replicated his performance in week one with another solid outing. He hauled in eight receptions for 83 yards receiving, which puts him over 160 yards receiving through two games.

Spencer Dowland, 2025 OL — Athens, Ala.

Athens went on the road to face Mae Jemison and Auburn commit Hezekiah Harris last week. Dowland's team took the win 21-6, and while offensive linemen don't necessarily have stats, he felt like he could be more consistent in finishing blocks and being dominant every play.

Malik Autry, 2025 DE — Opelika, Ala.

The longest-tenured commit in the 2025 class, Autry and Opelika had a road game against Benjamin Russell to open the season. Autry finished the night with three tackles and two tackles for loss in Opelika's 28-14 win.

Jourdin Crawford, 2025 DT — Birmingham, Ala.

It was a dominant outing for Parker to open the season, as the Thundering Herd demolished Ramsay 41-12 to kickstart the year. Crawford had three tackles in the win.

Jakaleb Faulk, 2025 LB — Highland Home, Ala.

Friday's opener for Highland Home against Straughn was a lopsided one, as the Flying Squadron took care of business 38-9. Faulk tallied 8.5 tackles and two tackles for loss in the win.

Dante Core, 2025 CB — Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

In a game that featured two Auburn commits, Core and Choctawatchee traveled to Alabama to face Gulf Shores and 2026 linebacker commit Jamichael Garrett. Choctawatchee took home the 31-7 victory, as Core recorded stats on both offense and defense.

He had one reception for 23 yards on offense and a tackle on defense.

Eric Winters, 2025 S — Enterprise, Ala.

There wasn't a more athletic player on the field than Winters when Enterprise opened its season against Andalusia Friday night. Playing on the road, Winters had stats all over the place in the 35-7 victory.

He had two receptions for 65 yards receiving, hauling in a touchdown on one of them, while also recording 16 yards rushing on two carries. Defensively, Winters had four tackles and intercepted a pass.

Anquon Fegans, 2025 S — Alabaster, Ala.

Bringing it back around to another Thompson defender, Fegans' night was nothing short of remarkable. He tallied nine tackles, a tackle for loss and a scoop-and-score fumble recovery to get Thompson on the board in the Warriors' loss.

John McGuire, 2025 P/K — Alabaster, Ala.

McGuire didn't have a field goal opportunity throughout the night for Thompson, although he was 2-for-2 in PAT attempts. He also had eight punts, averaging 37.1 yards per punt with a long of 45 yards.

Denairius Gray, 2026 WR — Hollywood, Fla.

Facing California powerhouse St. John Bosco, Chaminade-Madonna and the Auburn wide receiver commit Gray dropped their opener 34-27. Gray had six receptions for 53 yards receiving in the outing, scoring a touchdown on one of them.

He also recovered a fumble in the loss.

Kail Ellis, 2026 C — White, Ga.

It was another productive outing for Ellis this week — so productive that he only played one half. Cass blanked Model 48-0, as Ellis once again had 100% snap efficiency and didn't allow a sack. He also produced five pancake blocks in the win.

Shadarius Toodle, 2026 OLB — Mobile, Ala.

If there was a tackle to be made, there was a solid chance Toodle made it Friday night. Auburn's highest-rated commit in the 2026 class had 18 tackles and four tackles for loss in Cottage Hill Christian Academy's 26-20 loss to Washington County.

Jamichael Garrett, 2026 LB — Gulf Shores, Ala.

Garrett was on the wrong side of a commit-versus-commit game, as Gulf Shores dropped its opener 31-7 to Chocawatchee and Dante Core. The four-star recorded seven tackles in the loss.

No stats yet: Derick Smith, Tavaris Dice, Tai Buster, Jacobe Ward, Bryce Deas, Donovan Starr, Blake Woodby, Hezekiah Harris, Wayne Henry

Bye week: Broderick Shull, Nate Marshall

DNP: Devin Williams, Antonio Coleman