Auburn Recruiting: James Branch Becomes 26th Commit in 2027 Class

The Auburn Tigers get another huge recruiting win for the 2027 class.

Three-star safety James Branch announced his commitment to Auburn on Saturday, choosing the Tigers over Maryland, Virginia Tech and Stanford. 

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Maryland native spent much of his high school career at wide receiver, but recently made the transition to Safety. That is when the attention began to flood in.

Within a matter of weeks, Branch picked up offers from Virginia Tech, Stanford and eventually Auburn after the Tigers evaluated him during the spring contact period. His rise has been quick, making him one of the more fascinating prospects in Auburn's class.

Branch is currently rated as the No. 12 player in Maryland by 247Sports, and despite being seen as only a 3-star recruit, the upside of his athleticism at the new position is worth watching. 

DJ Durkin continues to win in the state of Maryland, and has built one of the strongest relationships in the country with St. Frances Academy, that pipeline continues to pay dividends. 

"I'm a big fan of Coach Durkin. I just love how he coaches. I love his energy. I love how he comes every day and brings that grit, which is something that I live by," said the newly committed Tiger. 

Branch now joins fellow Maryland commitments James Pace III, Rion Jackson and Knyair Crumb in Auburn's 2027 class, further establishing Baltimore as an unexpected recruiting hotspot for the Tigers.

Branch now becomes the Tigers 26th player to join Auburn's 2027 class. He joins QB Gary Chatman, RB Myson Johnson-Cook, RB Khamoni Williams, WR Brylan Oduor, WR DeShaun Hall, WR Cedrick Simmons, TE George Lamons, OT Layton Von Brandt, OT Rance Brown, IOL Jaylon Moore, IOL Reed Ramsier, DL Donivan Moore, DL Nate Kamba DL MJ Evans, ED Rion Jackson, ED James Pace III, LB Kareem Palmer, LB Isaac McNeil, CB Nash Johnson III, CB Aidyn Wiggins, S Chance Gilbert, S Knyair Crumb, S Nasir Banks, ATH Preston Williams, and K Noah Ash.