Another Auburn Recruiting Target Nears Commitment Decision

The Auburn Tigers could add another player to their 2027 recruiting class this weekend. 

Maryland product James Branch could become the next piece of Auburn's growing pipeline from Baltimore powerhouse St. Frances Academy.

The three-star safety is set to announce his college commitment Saturday, choosing between Auburn, Maryland, Stanford and Virginia Tech. While it is believed that the Terrapins have somewhat of an advantage due to being close to home, the Tigers have something the Terps don't, DJ Durkin.

Branch's recruitment looks much different today than it did just a few months ago. He made the move from wide receiver to safety after recruiting interest was surprisingly limited despite playing at one of the nation's premier high school programs. But according to him, once St. Frances coaches convinced him to make the full-time switch, everything changed.

"It changed my recruitment big-time," Branch said. "I went from not talking to any coaches to talking to many coaches as the process went on."

That jump in attention led to offers from Virginia Tech in March, Stanford in April and Auburn on May 2 after the Tigers evaluated him during the spring contact period.

Branch is an interesting athlete. He is 6-foot-3 and weighs 210 pounds, which would provide him a unique transition into the secondary under Durkin if he were to choose Auburn.

The Tigers already have 3 Maryland players already heading to Auburn. In 2027's class, James Pace III, Knyair Crumb and Rion Jackson have already committed, giving Auburn a chance to continue building one of the strongest, but unique pipelines inside the SEC.

Branch is currently rated as the No. 12 player according to 247Sports in Maryland, but his rapid rise after switching positions suggests his best football is still ahead of him.

If Branch were to choose The Plains as his next stop, he would become 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 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.

Branch will announce his decision at 4 p.m. CT on Saturday.