Auburn football continues to build serious momentum on the recruiting trail after landing a major defensive addition in the 2027 class. Four-star edge rusher James Pace III announced his commitment to the Auburn Tigers on Friday, choosing the Tigers over several high-profile programs including Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, and Colorado.
Pace, a standout from DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, is regarded as one of the top defensive prospects in his class. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing around 225 pounds, he brings an impressive combination of size, explosiveness, and versatility off the edge. His commitment further strengthens Auburn’s 2027 recruiting momentum as the program continues to stack blue-chip talent early in the cycle.
Highly regarded across major recruiting platforms, Pace is ranked among the top EDGE defenders nationally. The 247Sports Composite places him as the No. 17 edge rusher in the country, while also listing him among the top 150–170 overall prospects in the class depending on the ranking service. In Maryland, he stands out as one of the premier defensive talents, ranking near the top of both his position group and overall player rankings.
His pledge marks Auburn’s 20th commitment in the 2027 recruiting class, a group that already features a strong foundation of 12 blue-chip prospects. Within that class, Pace projects as one of the highest-rated recruits, reinforcing the Tigers’ focus on strengthening their defensive front for the future. He also joins fellow EDGE prospect Rion Jackson, giving Auburn multiple pass-rushing additions in the cycle.
The commitment reflects the growing influence of Auburn’s coaching staff in recruiting elite defensive talent. Head coach Alex Golesh, along with edge position coach Coleman Hutzler and assistant Wayne Dorsey, played key roles in securing Pace’s decision. Their efforts have also helped Auburn build a strong recruiting pipeline in Maryland, with Pace becoming the third 2027 prospect from the state to join the program.
With Pace now in the fold, Auburn continues to position itself as one of the early winners in the 2027 recruiting cycle, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where the Tigers are assembling a promising foundation of future pass-rushing talent.
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