Recruits from all over the country descended on the Plains last weekend for a big recruiting event hosted by the Auburn football team. With spring practice under way, interested prospects are setting up official and unofficial visits to get a closer look at the team and the coaches in action.
For 4-star defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland, getting to see his would-be position coach Vontrell King-Williams working with the defensive line was a game changer on his visit.
“It’s a good feeling just being back down here in Auburn,” Cleveland said, per Auburn Rivals. “Being able to speak to Coach Freeze again. Just watch Coach Vontrell work with the D-line and stuff like that during practice. It was good to get back down here.”
From Prattville, Alabama, Cleveland is ranked as the No. 16 defensive lineman in the recruiting class of 2026 and is the No. 9 recruit out of his home state. Cleveland originally committed to Alabama in October of 2024 but walked back his pledge several months later in December.
Now, he is seeing what the Tigers have to offer, and he’s even being recruited by one of his former teammates— fellow defensive lineman Jourdin Crawford— who will play his first season with Auburn football this fall. Crawford has emphasized to Cleveland that the Tigers’ coaching staff will push you to be the best player you can be.
“The coaches, they’re going to coach you hard,” Cleveland said. “At the same time, they’re going to love you, but they’re going to make sure you get in good work and stuff like that. It’s a great atmosphere.”
Cleveland is being pursued by multiple other programs and has set official visits to Florida, Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina, in addition to Auburn.