Auburn Tigers closing in on 5-star commitment?

Auburn Tigers closing in on 5-star commitment? originally appeared on The Sporting News

Hartfield Academy (Mississippi) star Bralan Womack is one of the most dynamic high school football players in the country.

The 6-foot, 200-pound playmaker is rated a five-star prospect and the nation's No. 1 safety.

But he contributes all over the field on Friday nights.

Last fall, Womack registered 39 tackles and eight interceptions on defense, 1,045 yards and 13 touchdowns receiving on offense and both a punt and kick return for a touchdown on special teams. 

On Thursday, the nation's No. 13 overall recruit is set to announce his college decision from a list of four finalists: Auburn, Florida, Ohio State and Texas A&M.

According to On3/Rivals vice president Steve Wilfong, Auburn has emerged as the team-to-beat for Womack and he has predicted the Tigers will be his landing spot: 

FONG BOMB: Rivals’ @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for Auburn to land 5-star safety Bralan Womack🦅

Womack is the No. 1 safety in the Rivals300.

Intel: https://t.co/wruPl8hg2spic.twitter.com/HNPg1yM8b9

— Rivals (@Rivals) August 17, 2025

Womack took official visits to each of his four finalists, but came away most impressed with Auburn. 

"This is probably by far the best official visit I've had," he told Rivals. "Just got to wait until next weekend, see how that goes, and then start cutting it down from there."

Still, Ohio State has remained firmly in the mix, and there has been a sense that Auburn and Ohio State are in a tight battle.

It's obviously a great sign that Wilfong has dropped his prediction in Auburn's favor, but this one could remain tight to the end.

Overall, Auburn's 2026 recruiting class is ranked No. 54 nationally after a series of misses over the summer.

But Womack, Wadley (Alabama) linebacker Jaquez Wilkes and Jamison (Alabama) four-star edge-rusher Hezekiah Harris would give the Tigers a trio of headliners arriving since late July - a good sign that a climb could be coming. 

>>> Womack, Wilkes named to Sporting News Preseason High School All-American Team

Womack would be the obvious headliner.

Here's what 247Sports had to say about him as a prospect:

"Advanced safety prospect that checks off box after box with his size, versatility, athleticism and football IQ. Followed up a dominant junior campaign in which he earned Gatorade Mississippi Player of the Year honors with an excellent week of practices at the Navy All-American Bowl where he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time."

"Baits quarterbacks into making bad decisions from a split-field alignment and makes them pay with his jolting burst and slick ball skills. Frequently aware of what’s going on around him in zone coverage, but is also fluid and fast enough to man-up with pass catchers of all different shapes and sizes. Competent as a run defender and will get ball carriers on the ground, but improved technique should yield better results as an open-field tackler and help with containment. Has done plenty of damage as both a wide receiver and return man on Friday nights and has the makeup of a potential special teams ace that can not only field punts, but also run down in pursuit and help corral opponents."

"Overall, should be viewed as one of the top defensive talents in the 2026 cycle based on what he has put on tape and done in best-on-best settings."