Demarcus Riddick, 5-star linebacker, flips commitment from Georgia to Auburn
Chilton County (Alabama) five-star linebacker Demarcus Riddick has been committed to the Georgia Bulldogs since November.
But in recent weeks, a wave of speculation has grown that the 6-foot-2, 220-pound 'backer was ready to flip to the Auburn Tigers, or even possibly the Alabama Crimson Tide.
On Wednesday, Riddick made it official, announcing his commitment to Hugh Freeze's program.
“Alabama is an amazing school, but Auburn is where I feel I need to be at,” Riddick told On3. It’s a big family there and the feeling when I am at Auburn is great. There’s something different about Auburn for me. I have that feeling there.
"…I could have stayed with Georgia, I could have chosen Alabama, but Auburn is where I felt most at home. That was the most important thing for me.”
Riddick is rated the nation's No. 31 overall prospect and No. 3 linebacker, a ranking that is already backed up heavily by his production.
As a junior, Riddick accumulated 109 tackles, 19 tackles-for-loss, seven sacks and three interceptions.
He is immediately the headliner of an Auburn 2024 recruiting class that is ranked No. 38 nationally and was previously led by Little Rock Christian Academy (Arkansas) signal-caller Walker White, the nation's No. 9 quarterback.
In fact, Riddick is the highest-rated Auburn pledge since Grayson (Georgia) five-star athlete Owen Pappoe (No. 25 overall in 2019).
Here's what 247Sports had to say about him, in part, as a prospect:
"A three phase player and a multi-sport athlete, displays good athleticism in each phase of the game. ....Positioned at the weak side linebacker position, Riddick possesses outstanding position versatility as a second level defender, showing the ability to play off ball as a pass coverage defender, in the box, off the edge as a pass rusher and sometimes even at the safety position. ...Demonstrates good play speed, showing the ability to play in space and drop comfortably in coverage. Flashes excellent football instincts in both the run and the pass, displaying the ability to key and diagnose and play downhill. ... Possessing somewhat of a chameleon skill set, the Chilton County standout appears most comfortable as on off-ball linebacker, where his athleticism and instincts are on full display playing sideline to sideline."
Junior season highlights
