Defensive end Justin Thornton made a verbal commitment to Auburn on Sunday, choosing the Tigers over SEC rivals LSU and Texas A&M.
The 6-5, 225-pound Class of 2014 product is a consensus four-star prospect who had offers from other top programs such as Alabama, Florida, USC and Nebraska. He recorded 62 tackles, including 13 for loss, and seven sacks as a junior in 2012.
The Vigor High School (Prichard, AL) star is considered a Top 10 to 15 weakside defensive end nationally because of his flexibility and deceptive strength. The Tigers had just picked up a commitment on Wednesday from linebacker Tre' Williams, another Mobile star, and they also have a verbal pledge from Thornton’s high school teammate, linebacker Deshaun Davis.
Auburn now has seven players in its 2014 recruiting class, with five of those coming from the state of Alabama.