Overview
- James Pace announced his commitment to Auburn after an official visit, with multiple outlets reporting the pledge on Friday, June 19.
- Pace is a high four-star edge from DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Maryland, listed around 6-foot-2½ and 225 pounds with strong 2025 production including 14 sacks.
- He chose Auburn over finalists such as South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Maryland and Colorado and credited relationships with coaches Coleman Hutzler, DJ Durkin and Alex Golesh for his decision.
- Pace becomes roughly the 20th commitment in Auburn’s 2027 class and is counted among about 12 blue-chip prospects, a group whose additions have moved Auburn up in class rankings.
- His pledge deepens a Maryland pipeline that already includes Knyair Crumb and Rion Jackson and could shift Auburn’s SEC standing by improving its defensive recruiting profile and class calculator metrics.