Auburn is getting its future center a class early with the news that Kail Ellis will reclassify from 2026 to 2025 and sign with the Tigers in December.
From Cass (Ga.), Ellis announced on Saturday that he would be reclassifying from the 2026 recruiting cycle to the 2025 recruiting cycle. Ellis originally committed to Auburn back on Nov. 30, 2023, and has been locked in ever since.
“I’m just ready!!,” Ellis said. “It’s as simple as that. Ready to be a Tiger.”
In the 2026 recruiting cycle Ellis, who’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, is ranked in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite as the No. 291 player, No. 23 interior offensive lineman and No. 31 player from Georgia. 247Sports tabbed him as the No. 21 interior offensive lineman and No. 31 player from Georgia. Now that he’s in the 2025 class, he will receive a new ranking.
Ellis currently plans to take his official visit to Auburn the weekend of the Texas A&M game and sign on Dec. 4th. He will finish up his academics at Cass in the spring and enroll at Auburn next summer.
“Auburn, myself and my family feel like it gives me the best opportunity to achieve what I’m trying to achieve,” Ellis said. “On top of that with the current 2025 class of linemen and now with Deuce (Knight) coming I can’t wait to be his center! God has blessed me with an incredible opportunity to play this game so why not come in early learn from the veteran guys and work my butt off to fight for a job? After talking it over with Coach (Jake) Thornton and Coach (Hugh) Freeze this is the right decision to make this move.”
Auburn now holds 26 commitments in the 2025 class with the addition of Ellis, which ranks No. 3 in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings. Ellis, who’s been recruited as a center, joins 4-star offensive tackles Tavaris Dice and Broderick Shull, along with 3-star offensive linemen Jacobe Ward, Tai Buster and Spencer Dowland in the 2025 class. Auburn is still in pursuit of 5-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola and 3-star offensive lineman Nelson McGuire as Jake Thornton looks to load up his room with young talent.
After committing last November, Ellis has been a mainstay on campus and visited countless times throughout the year, including a private workout in June and attending every home game so far this fall. He’s ready for the future to be now.
“Excited is an understatement,” Ellis said. “I’m excited to be a part of the Auburn culture and being able to be developed early. Again just what God has blessed me with and knowing I’m going to get to be part of this elite class of 2025 is special. This 2025 class is DIFFERENT!”
On the flip side, Auburn’s 2026 class is now at five commitments with Hezekiah Harris, JaMichael Garrett, Shadarius Toodle, Denairius Gray and Wayne Henry still committed. Ellis’ reclassification bumps the class down from No. 2 in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings to No. 6.
Next season current Auburn center Connor Lew will be a junior and headed into his third season as a starter for the Tigers. Ellis will have the opportunity to redshirt and work behind him during his first season on the Plains.
