What Thompson QB Trent Seaborn, Antwann Hill said about Auburn football at Junior Day

AUBURN — The first big recruiting event of coach Hugh Freeze’s tenure on the Plains arrived Saturday, as Auburn football welcomed dozens of recruits to campus for Junior Day.

The large group visit didn’t result in any same-day commitments, but that isn’t particularly surprising because programs typically use junior days as a launch point for relationships with recruits in future classes. Freeze said Friday his new staff had to “get in the game” with some prospects and that “this weekend will be another step for that.”

Recruits in attendance were mainly from the class of 2024, including the lone commitment to Auburn so far in that cycle: Four-star cornerback A’mon Lane out of Moody High School near Birmingham. Lane has been committed to the Tigers since July, originally giving his pledge to former coach Bryan Harsin. Freeze retained Lane’s commitment, though, and the 5-foot-11 cornerback said his comfort level is higher with the new staff.

“It’s something about coach Freeze, man,” Lane said. “His vibe and just everything; how he reacts with my family and me. It’s special.”

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Quarterback watch

Thompson quarterback Trent Seaborn has been a popular name since he led the Warriors to a 7A state championship as an eighth grader in November.

“I think they’re great coaches,” Seaborn said of Freeze and offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery. “I was really impressed by their teachings (and) what they had to say. Coach Freeze, Coach Montgomery, they’re great people and I’m hoping that maybe one day I’ll get to play with them.”

Seaborn, who still has an entire high-school career in front of him, has offers from Arkansas, Ole Miss and Nebraska, among others. He set the AHSAA Class 7A record with five touchdown passes during the state title game at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

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Another quarterback on campus was Antwann Hill of Houston County in Warner Robins, Georgia. The Class of 2025 four-star recruit announced on Twitter that he received an offer from Auburn on Saturday and told reporters afterward that Freeze’s experience with quarterbacks is something that interests him: “I hope if I come here he can do the same thing with me and develop me so I can get to where Malik (Willis) is.”

Class of 2024 running backs

Running backs included four-star J’Marion “Phat” Burnette of Andalusia High School in Georgia and Brandon Hood of Eagles Landing Christian Academy in Georgia and the younger brother of Auburn signee Colton Hood. Both Burnette and Brandon Hood are in the class of 2024.

Burnette said he enjoyed the facilities and talking to Freeze, but expressed some disappointment in the fact that running backs coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams wasn’t able to be there because of sickness. Burnette named Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Penn State and Miami as schools he’s considering. He plans to commit near the start of the summer.

Hood’s father, uncle, cousin and another brother all attended Auburn, which is a component in his decision-making process. His uncle, Roderick Hood, finished his Auburn career with five interceptions and 106 total tackles. He went on to have a nine-year NFL career with four different teams, including a four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“It plays a big factor, but also I want to be myself and I want to do what’s best for me,” Hood said. “But at the same time, it plays a big factor. … (Playing at the same school as my family) would mean a lot to me if I had the opportunity to do that.”

Hood also plays slot receiver.

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Offers sent

Hill wasn’t the only recruit to announce via social media an offer by Auburn on Saturday. The others were 2024 linebacker D’Angelo Barber, 2025 linebacker Dylan Lewis, 2025 defensive lineman Malik Autry and 2025 cornerback Shamar Arnoux.

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: What Thompson QB Trent Seaborn said about Auburn football Junior Day