‘One of the Best in the Country’: 5-Star Tight End Kaiden Prothro Raves About Auburn as Tigers Emerge as Top Contender
The Auburn Tigers continue to make waves on the recruiting trail in 2025, and their latest surge comes in the form of elite tight end prospect Kaiden Prothro. The 5-star recruit and one of the most coveted offensive weapons in the 2026 class recently spoke glowingly about his visit to The Plains, making it clear that Auburn’s staff has left a lasting impression.
Prothro, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound playmaker from Buford High School in Georgia, is ranked among the top tight ends nationally and has offers from powerhouse programs such as Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and USC. But it’s Auburn — under the leadership of head coach Hugh Freeze and offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery — that appears to be emerging as a serious frontrunner in his recruitment.
“Auburn’s staff really stands out,” Prothro told On3 Sports following his most recent unofficial visit. “They’re one of the best in the country when it comes to development, relationships, and vision. Coach Freeze, Coach Montgomery — they made me feel like family the moment I stepped on campus.”
During his visit, Prothro toured the state-of-the-art football facilities, spent time with current players, and sat in on film sessions that highlighted how prominently tight ends feature in Auburn’s evolving offensive scheme. With the Tigers committed to reestablishing themselves as an SEC powerhouse, the coaching staff emphasized Prothro’s potential to be a cornerstone in their future game plans.
“They’re not just recruiting me as another piece. They see me as a guy who can make an impact from day one,” Prothro added. “They showed me how I could be used — lining up out wide, in the slot, in-line — they’re creative and know how to get the tight end involved.”
Sources close to Prothro’s recruitment say Auburn has steadily risen in his top list, and his strong connection with the staff, combined with Auburn’s recent emphasis on rebuilding its offensive identity, has made the program an increasingly appealing option.
Prothro plans to narrow down his final list of schools later this summer and take official visits during the fall. As of now, Auburn looks poised to remain in the thick of the race.
“I’ll keep evaluating, but right now, Auburn’s up there,” Prothro concluded. “They’ve got something special brewing.”
With momentum building and national attention squarely on his next move, Kaiden Prothro’s recruitment is shaping up to be one of the most closely followed storylines heading into the 2026 recruiting cycle. Auburn fans can take heart knowing that the Tigers are firmly in the mix for one of the cou
ntry’s top talents.
