New OL Commitment is a Throwback, Smashmouth Offensive Lineman
In Jacobe Ward head coach Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers may have secured a key interior lineman capable of powering the running game. Ward, a highly coveted 6-foot-4, 335-pound offensive lineman from Benedictine Military School in Savannah, Georgia, had interest from major programs like Tennessee and LSU, but ultimately chose Auburn.
“It came down to the environment and relationships with the coaches — it was on a different level at Auburn,” Ward told the *Savannah Morning News*. “I’m glad I made my decision early and I’m 1000% committed. Now I can focus on winning another state title with Benedictine.”
Ward is the 16th recruit to commit to Auburn in this cycle and the fifth offensive lineman to pledge. After 4-star prospect Carde Smith decommitted from Auburn, it made sense for Freeze to revisit the OL talent pool.
Ward’s sheer size stands out, and while he played right tackle in high school, Auburn OL coach Jake Thornton likely sees him as an interior blocker for the short term. Though still a raw talent, Ward has plenty of potential and has thrived as a powerful run-blocker at Benedictine.
His OL coach, Trevor Coleman, noted Ward’s competitive edge, saying, “Sometimes we butt heads on the sidelines, but that’s because we’re both competitive. Jacobe knows the game well and can provide valuable input on what defenses are doing.”
With another year to improve his conditioning and technique under Coleman’s guidance, Ward is poised to bring his winning mentality to Auburn, where the Tigers are undergoing a transformation in the trenches.
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