Sting Factor: Gernorris Wilson backs off pledge to Auburn

When a major program loses a key recruit, Rivals.com takes a look at how big of a blow it is to the respective school, analyzing it from a local and national level. To quantify the “sting” of each decommitment, we assign a score from one to 10, with one being no big deal and 10 being a catastrophic hit.

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Reloading on the offensive line was going to be a big focus in this Auburn recruiting class, but after coach Bryan Harsin was fired Monday, three-star OL Gernorris Wilson backed off his short pledge to the Tigers.

The Lakeland, Fla., prospect who committed on Sept. 19 said he loved the family environment at Auburn, and while he couldn’t pinpoint exactly why he wanted to be there the feel of the place and the program stood out more than the other schools recruiting him.

Wilson’s decision basically came down to Auburn and North Carolina, but with Harsin gone - and the uncertainty of the coaching staff moving forward - the Lakeland standout decided to reopen things.

Auburn is left with two talented four-star linemen in Bradyn Joiner from right in town and Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day standout Clay Wedin, who flipped from Michigan State.

Offensive line is a position group that Auburn desperately needs improvement, and Wilson was set to be a part of that. Auburn now has two offensive line commits, and I don't see either of them de-committing, but with most of the O-line departing after this season depth is something the Tigers needed from this 2023 class.

That's where Wilson's decommitment stings the most; the Tigers are now down a commit in a position group that they needed to fill with a plethora of talent. - Caleb Jones, AuburnSports.com

Sting Factor: 7

Wilson is a talented player, and Auburn needs to load up on offensive linemen. So, this one hurts, but a coaching change can sometimes really give a boost to a recruiting class if the right person is hired. The good news here for Auburn is that a coach wasn’t fired right before the Early Signing Period, and if someone is in place relatively soon then the recruiting class could be built up with an eye on offensive linemen.

It never feels good to lose commits - and Wilson would’ve been a nice addition - but if the new coach can generate some real intrigue then top recruits should come flocking. - Adam Gorney, Rivals national recruiting director

Sting Factor: 6