"It’s going to be special": Four-star WR Sam Turner's Auburn prediction after flipping his Georgia Tech commitment

By Maliha

Modified Oct 12, 2024 12:38 GMT

Four-star wide receiver Sam Turner from Southwest DeKalb High School in Georgia has flipped his commitment from Georgia Tech to Auburn. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound prospect, who had been committed to the Yellow Jackets since June 9, announced his decision on Thursday, becoming the 27th commitment for Auburn’s 2025 recruiting class.

Turner joins an elite group of talent at Auburn that is gaining national attention. Earlier this month, four-star quarterback Deuce Knight made headlines by switching his commitment from Notre Dame to Auburn. Turner expressed optimism about the future of Auburn football, saying (via On3):

“It’s a big class coming in. Me, Deuce, Alvin (Henderson), Anquon Fegans, it’s going to be special. The class of 2026 too, it’s going to be a special class."

Auburn has seen several recruits flip to the Tigers this summer and fall. Alongside Turner and Knight, the school has also flipped four-star prospects like four-star cornerback Blake Woodby, defensive lineman Antonio Coleman, athlete Derick Smith, linebacker Elijah Melendez and defensive lineman Nate Marshall.

This influx of talent is shaping a highly competitive recruiting class for Auburn, and Turner’s confidence in his new school is clear.

“I feel like in the next two years we can compete for a Natty. Seriously!" he said. "Especially with the pieces we have there. Deuce coming in. It’s going to be exciting for the next five years.”

Auburn's 2025 class is now ranked No. 4 nationally according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Sam Turner opens up about Auburn's persistent effort to flip him from Georgia Tech

Sam Turner has been a key target for Auburn since the summer. The coaching staff took notice of him by extending an offer to him on June 26. Just a month later, the blue-chip wide receiver visited the campus for the Big Cat Weekend, where he was struck by the welcoming atmosphere created by the coaching staff, players and community.

Following the trip, Turner remarked that “Auburn hits different." Earlier this fall, Turner returned to Auburn for an official visit, where he had the opportunity to meet with coach Hugh Freeze.

"He was straightforward with me and my dad, and we're the kind of people that like being straightforward, so that's what turned us on to Auburn," Turner told Rivals.

Freeze’s impressive track record played a significant role in Turner’s decision-making process. Over the last ten NFL drafts, Freeze has seen nine of his players selected in the first round. This success story, coupled with Freeze's personal commitment to Turner, helped sway him towards Auburn.

Wide receivers coach Marcus Davis and director of recruiting research Kenyatta Watson also made a huge impact on Turner’s recruitment. He expressed gratitude for their persistence, saying:

“They could’ve chose anybody in America. I prolonged this process since June. I respect they waited and kept recruiting me and it showed a lot.”

Sam Turner is the No. 432 overall prospect in the nation and No. 73 wide receiver in the 2025 cycle and the No. 50 recruit in Georgia, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.