Auburn football has secured a significant commitment from 4-star linebacker Elijah Melendez. The talented prospect from Kissimmee, Florida, announced his decision to join the Auburn Tigers on a weekend filled with excitement for the program. Ranked as the No. 17 linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class and the No. 23 recruit from Florida, Melendez’s commitment brings a valuable addition to Auburn’s future defense.
Initially, Melendez had committed to the Miami Hurricanes in December 2023, but Auburn’s persistent recruitment efforts throughout the year paid off. In late August, he decommitted from Miami and eventually pledged to Auburn under head coach Hugh Freeze. Melendez made his commitment public on Saturday, ahead of Auburn’s game against New Mexico, after visiting the campus over the weekend.
One of the key factors in his decision was the strong relationship he developed with Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin. Melendez spoke highly of the program, stating, “It really feels like family here, and I wanted to play in the SEC. I feel like I’ve got a real good shot at getting developed and making it to the NFL from Auburn with Coach Durkin.”
The commitment added a positive highlight to an important weekend for Auburn, which also saw redshirt freshman quarterback Hank Brown make his starting debut. Brown started in place of Payton Thorne following Auburn’s tough loss to Cal, and his performance in the Tigers’ victory over New Mexico impressed Melendez.
Melendez’s recruitment journey is now officially over, as he confirmed that he no longer plans to visit other schools. Auburn fans can look forward to seeing the talented linebacker join the team and contribute to the Tigers’ defense in the future.
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