Mississippi LB TJ White Narrows Choices: Auburn Emerges as Unexpected Finalist Before Decision Day

“I love the campus, the relationships I have with the coaches and how Auburn plays freshmen,” White said. “They played a lot of freshmen last season, so I know I have a chance to get on the field early. Coach (DJ) Durkin is an incredible coach too. He knows how to develop players.”

• Four-star linebacker TJ White includes Auburn in his final four schools.
• White is impressed with Auburn’s campus, coaching staff, and history of playing freshmen.
• White plans to announce his commitment on July 1.

Following the departure of Shadarius Toodle and JaMichael Garrett from Auburn’s 2026 haul, landing a strong linebacker such as White would do wonders for its class. How much of a chance does Auburn have at landing White? He tells Simmons that he has “a good idea” of where he is going, and cites that Mississippi State is recruiting him the hardest. However, according to On3’s predictions, Tennessee is the school to beat with a 92% chance to land him. Auburn still has a few more days to sell their product before White announces his commitment early next week.TJ White, a four-star linebacker from Jackson, Mississippi, has named Auburn a finalist ahead of his July 1 commitment date alongside Florida State, Tennessee, and in-state program Mississippi State. In a recent interview with Chad Simmons of On3, White shared the factors that make Auburn stand out.One of Mississippi’s top 2026 recruits is ready to commit, and Auburn firmly remains in the running to land him.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page onFacebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter@TaylorJones__When it comes to the 2026 recruiting class, few names ring louder in Mississippi than TJ White, a savvy four-star linebacker who’s got Auburn in his final quartet of choices. It’s clear that White isn’t just tossing darts here—Auburn’s vibrant campus atmosphere, the genuine camaraderie he’s built with the coaching staff, and their fearless commitment to letting freshmen shine early are winning serious points with him. With a commitment day quickly approaching on July 1, the Tigers still have that flicker of hope to sway this top-tier talent in their direction, despite stiff competition from Florida State, Tennessee, and Mississippi State. White’s eyeing a place where he can hit the ground running, and Auburn’s track record with developing young players, particularly under Coach DJ Durkin, makes them a strong contender for his signature. This decision is more than just a routine signing—it’s about shoring up a linebacker spot that’s recently seen departures, giving Auburn a chance to fortify their future defense. Excitement’s building, anticipation climbs, and for those following, the countdown to White’s big announcement is on… LEARN MORE

White is the No. 5 linebacker from the 2026 class according to On3, and is the No. 5 recruit from Mississippi.