The Auburn Tigers have made a significant leap in their recruiting prowess, securing a commitment from Erick Smith, a towering 6’6″ wide receiver out of Selma (Ala.) Southside, for their 2025 recruiting class. The addition of Erick, a 3-star prospect as ranked by 247 Sports, brings not only skill but also size, making him a unique asset for Auburn’s future offensive lineup. Remarkably, Erick is also the twin brother of another Auburn wide receiver commitment, Derick Smith. The two brothers now stand poised to bring a dynamic new energy to the Tigers’ offense.
At 6’6″ and 190 pounds, Erick has already made waves on the field, with a junior season that placed him among Alabama’s top high school receivers. According to MaxPreps, Erick closed his junior year as Alabama’s fourth-leading receiver, showcasing impressive stats: 39 receptions, 1,333 yards, an average of 34.2 yards per catch, and 11 touchdowns. These numbers underscore his ability to turn each play into a potential game-changer, and they reflect Auburn’s forward-looking approach in the 2025 recruitment cycle.
Erick’s skills on the field have drawn considerable attention, with scholarship offers from high-profile programs like Auburn and Alabama. Ultimately, the Tigers won out, and they now have an athlete who, with some development, could transform their receiving corps. A review of Erick’s HUDL film demonstrates his superior hand-eye coordination, remarkable timing, and agility. Despite his size, he showcases nimble footwork and can maneuver around defenders with ease, regularly out-jumping double coverage to secure deep passes.
Standing at such an imposing height, Erick possesses an arsenal of attributes that few high school defenders can match. His long arms and leaping ability allow him to catch balls even in the tightest of double teams. Moreover, his knack for making difficult, contorted catches look effortless points to his potential to become a reliable target in critical game situations.
While Erick’s impressive catch radius is a valuable asset, his speed sets him apart as well. He’s proven that he can outrun defenders on deep routes, making him a dual-threat both for his size and agility. Auburn’s offensive staff will undoubtedly look to harness his big-play potential in their schemes, and with his current skill set, he’s well on his way to developing into a reliable deep-ball receiver.
The next steps for Erick’s growth will center around his physical development and learning the finer points of route running. Auburn’s training staff will likely emphasize strength training to build his 190-pound frame to an ideal 220 pounds, positioning him to be an even greater physical force on the field. This increase in strength will improve not only his resilience against defensive backs but also his potential as a blocker in Auburn’s offensive scheme.
Additionally, Erick has primarily run simpler deep routes thus far, such as posts and go-balls, but once he’s trained to expand his route tree, he’ll present a new level of complexity for defenders. With his height and reach, developing a more diverse route-running skill set could make him nearly impossible to cover one-on-one, offering Auburn a unique tactical advantage.
Auburn’s decision to recruit Erick—alongside his twin brother Derick—shows their strategic approach to securing future talent. Erick’s potential impact is undeniable; he’s a receiver with both the raw physicality and athleticism to dominate in the Southeastern Conference. As he continues to train and hone his skills, Auburn fans can look forward to watching Erick Smith evolve into one of the premier wide receivers in college football, ready to contend with the SEC’s best defensive backs.
