Fort Walton Beach (Fla.) cornerback Dante Core was back on campus at Auburn on Saturday.
Now, he’s a member of the Tigers’ 2025 recruiting class.
Core told On3 that he committed to Auburn on his visit after having the opportunity to interact more with the coaching staff before announcing his decision. He felt like today was going to be the day going in — and getting to see campus with his family this time clinched it.
Culture played an important role
The culture that Hugh Freeze and his staff have built at Auburn was a major sticking point for Core.
“The culture here, the energy, the family-like bond that everyone has here,” Core said. “I just love it, the fans are great, the culture is great, the coaches are great. I feel like they have a great plan for me and they fit me as a person off the field.
“You can most definitely feel it from the moment you step out of your car,” Core added about the culture. “It’s really different, I don’t really know how to explain or describe it. But people who come to Auburn and visit Auburn — they see it. It’s just a great culture. Everyone’s positive, they all want to be heading in the right direction. There are great resources, just everything about it is great.”
Freeze is right at the center of that atmosphere.
“He has a high standard for his guys off the field just as much as on the field,” Core said of Freeze. “That’s definitely important. He’s trying to bring in guys who he knows can compete, who he knows is going to fight, who he knows is like family and who is going to bring more of a family-like bond to the team. I really love what he’s doing.”
Tigers over Rebels
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound Core chose Auburn over Ole Miss. What set the Tigers apart was the relationships Core has built with the staff on The Plains.
“Honestly, the relationships that I have here at Auburn,” Core said about what set Auburn apart. “I just feel way more like family here at Auburn. I’m way more connected with the guys, I’m way more active talking with them, being with them and communicating. That was definitely the trigger for me.”
His strongest relationship is with cornerbacks coach Wesley McGriff.
“He brings great energy, he’s always making sure I’m good, making sure my family is good,” Core said. “He’s wonderful, he’s hands-on with everything and honest.”
Core will be back on campus for his June 14 official visit.
More on Auburn recruiting
Highland Home (Ala.) four-star EDGE Jakaleb Faulk headlines the Auburn class as a top-200 recruit alongside Winona (Miss.) four-star linebacker Tyler Lockhart, Birmingham (Ala.) Parker four-star defensive lineman Jourdin Crawford, Opelika (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Malik Autry and Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes four-star offensive tackle Tavaris Dice.
Buford (Ga.) four-star cornerback Devin Williams and Mobile (Ala.) Willamson four-star offensive tackle Carde Smith round out the list of blue-chippers.
Lockhart committed to Auburn on May 6 and is the latest to join the Tigers’ class.
Last month, Lockhart was a standout to On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power at the Under Armour Nashville camp. The blue-chipper’s playmaking ability helped him stand out in an impressive field.
“In a setting that isn’t typically favorable for linebackers, Tyler Lockhart managed to make some nice plays while flashing intriguing upside,” Power wrote. “The Winona (Miss.) High product has a great frame with plus length. He moved well in drills and managed to make some plays in 1-on-1’s. Lockhart closed quickly on a route in the flats and later stayed in-phase defending a wheel route, leading to a pass breakup.”
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