Five-Star QB Influencing Recruitment of Top-10 WR originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Auburn Tigers could really use a win in the 2026 recruiting class, and Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong thinks one may be coming soon.

Auburn’s 2026 class is ranked 56th nationally on On3 Sports after losing multiple recruits to flips this offseason.

Wiltfong revealed that former five-star quarterback Deuce Knight is one of the reasons four-star receiver Jase Matthews is looking at Auburn. Wiltfong stated Matthews enjoys the idea of catching passes from Knight.

The Tigers lost four-star linebacker Shadarius Toodle to the Georgia Bulldogs and four-star receiver Denairius Gray to the Kentucky Wildcats.

Matthews commits on Friday, and the program does not have a receiver commitment from the class.

“Auburn has a lot of behind-the-scenes momentum at the moment,” Wiltfong said. “From the relationship with Marcus Davis, Kenyatta Watson, and the staff, to helping reload what should be a talented receiver room with future NFL guys this fall, Mathews has always felt very comfortable on The Plains. He also likes the idea of playing with Mississippi native and former five-star quarterback Deuce Knight.”

Matthews is the No. 9 receiver in the Rivals Industry Rankings for the 2026 class.

Knight begins his first season with Auburn this year but will be backing up Oklahoma Sooners transfer Jackson Arnold.

Arnold highlighted a transfer class for Auburn that featured Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets receiver Eric Singleton Jr., Virginia Tech Hokies offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin and Miami (OH) RedHawks corner Raion Strider.

The 2025 season is crucial for head coach Hugh Freeze, who has an 11-14 record through two years on The Plains. He has one bowl appearance, but no postseason wins after losing 31-13 to the Maryland Terrapins in the 2023 Music City Bowl.

The Tigers open the year with the Baylor Bears on August 29. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.

Related: CFB Analyst Eyeing SEC Powerhouse to Flip No. 6 Prospect

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.

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