Auburn Drops Third 2026 Recruit Following Alex Golesh’s Hiring

Following the recent hiring of Alex Golesh as the head coach, the Auburn Tigers lost three commitments from their 2026 recruiting class. This change has raised concerns about the future direction of the program as Golesh steps into his new role.

Auburn’s Departures: Key Players De-Commit

• Nikau Hepi: A three-star offensive lineman and 6-foot-7, 370-pound prospect from New Zealand, Hepi announced his de-commitment on December 1, 2025, citing the coaching change as the reason.
• Bralan Womack: The No. 1 safety in the nation, Womack also decided to flip his commitment to Mississippi State.
• Peyton Falzone: A four-star quarterback, Falzone made his de-commitment hours after Womack’s decision.

Initially committed on June 24, 2025, Hepi had previously visited Auburn’s campus for the game against Georgia on October 11. Despite not being the highest-ranked recruit, Hepi’s size would have contributed valuable depth to Auburn’s offensive line.

Auburn’s Current Recruiting Landscape

With Hepi’s departure, Auburn’s 2026 class now consists of 11 recruits. The standout commitment is four-star edge rusher Jaquez Wilkes, along with three other offensive line commitments, namely three-star offensive tackle Wilson Zierer and three-star interior lineman Parker Pritchett.

As of now, Auburn is ranked No. 78 in the 2026 team recruiting rankings according to 247Sports. The Tigers have a crucial task ahead of them as the Early National Signing Period approaches on December 3-5, 2025.

Coach Golesh’s Vision and Strategy

During his introductory press conference, Golesh outlined his focus on maintaining the current roster. He stressed the importance of engaging with players already committed to the program and those wavering in their commitments.

Golesh emphasized that the forthcoming week is critical for Auburn, balancing hiring a coaching staff with recruiting efforts. He pointed out that while recruiting is vital, prioritizing the current players remains paramount.

In Golesh’s view, managing transitions is a typical part of college athletics. While initial recruiting challenges are expected, he believes that establishing a process-driven program will ultimately benefit the Tigers in the long term.