The star chose Auburn over LSU to join its 2026 class, marking another solid commitment.
Auburn engaged in a lot of work early in the recruiting of Top247 2026 linebacker JaMichael Garrett, and it has paid off.
JaMichael Garrett confirmed his commitment to the Tigers on Saturday at Big Cat Weekend. The Gulf Shores (Ala.) native also considered LSU, along with Michigan, South Carolina, USC, and Miami, among other programs that courted Garrett during the process.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Garrett is currently rated as the No. 112 player, No. 9 linebacker, and No. 8 player from Alabama for the 2026 class by 247Sports. His commitment is a significant boost for Hugh Freeze and his coaching staff. The push to secure Garrett largely came from Josh Aldridge and D.J. Durkin, with Aldridge spearheading the recruitment before Durkin, who now oversees the linebackers, took over from Aldridge, who transitioned to coaching defensive ends.
Garrett expressed his strong bond with Coach Josh Aldridge, saying, “I really value my relationship with Coach Aldridge, the linebackers coach. He’s someone I can talk to about football and other issues. From the moment he offered me after the Ole Miss game, I felt prioritized, and visiting Auburn practices showed me the camaraderie and the great environment there. I love Auburn’s facilities.”
Garrett also praised Coach Durkin, describing him as “a great guy” who is intense yet communicates effectively. “Coach Durkin can be intense, but he’s also funny and delivers his message calmly.”
Despite receiving offers from many schools after a standout sophomore season—where he recorded 87 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks—Garrett ultimately chose between Auburn and LSU. His strong ties to Auburn and familiarity with many players from his area in Oxford, Alabama, swayed his decision.
Garrett’s commitment marks Auburn’s third addition for the 2026 class on the same day, boosting their ranking to No. 1 nationally.
Leave a Reply