Athens (Ala.) three-star offensive tackle Spencer Dowland has officially decommitted from Auburn University, sharing his decision on social media Tuesday evening. Dowland had been a part of the Tigers’ 2025 recruiting class since his verbal commitment in September 2023. His decision to step away from his pledge marks a significant shift in his recruitment journey and has sparked interest from other programs eager to secure his talent.
“After much thought and prayer and many talks with my family, I have decided to decommit from Auburn University,” Dowland wrote in his statement. “Thank you to Coach Freeze and the entire coaching staff.” His message reflected a respectful tone, expressing gratitude for the opportunities and relationships he had built during his time as a Tigers commit.
Dowland’s decommitment has already sent ripples through the recruiting landscape, with Mississippi State emerging as a strong contender for his services. Shortly after his announcement, Mississippi State insider Paul Jones logged a prediction favoring the Bulldogs to land the offensive lineman. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, a tool that aggregates expert predictions and recruiting data, now gives Mississippi State a 92.5% chance of landing Dowland. This significant lead suggests that the Bulldogs have positioned themselves as the frontrunner for one of Alabama’s promising prospects.
In the 2025 recruiting cycle, Spencer Dowland is ranked as the No. 903 overall prospect according to the On3 Industry Ranking. This ranking represents a weighted average that considers evaluations from all four major recruiting media outlets. Among offensive tackles in the class, Dowland is positioned as the No. 50 player at his position, and he ranks as the No. 34 recruit within the state of Alabama. His profile highlights his potential as a key addition to any collegiate offensive line, making his recruitment a storyline to watch in the coming months.
Despite losing Dowland, Auburn’s 2025 recruiting class remains strong, particularly at the offensive tackle position. The Tigers still hold commitments from two highly-rated prospects: Bixby (Okla.) four-star offensive tackle Broderick Shull and Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes four-star offensive tackle Tavaris Dice. Shull, who joined Auburn’s recruiting class in June, and Dice, who committed three months earlier, both bring exceptional talent and versatility to the Tigers’ future offensive line.
Under the leadership of head coach Hugh Freeze, Auburn’s recruiting efforts have gained considerable momentum. The Tigers have built a formidable 2025 class, currently ranked No. 6 nationally in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. This impressive group comprises 27 commitments, including standout players like Lucedale (Miss.) George County five-star quarterback Deuce Knight, who flipped his commitment from Notre Dame to Auburn in October. Freeze’s ability to secure top talent has solidified Auburn’s position as a recruiting powerhouse in the SEC.
While Dowland’s decision to reopen his recruitment represents a challenge for Auburn, the program’s strong recruiting foundation and ongoing pursuit of elite prospects ensure that the Tigers remain competitive. For Dowland, the next chapter in his journey is unfolding, with Mississippi State and potentially other programs making strong cases to earn his commitment. His decision will undoubtedly be one to follow as the 2025 recruiting cycle continues to unfold.
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