Auburn Football Secures Commitment from 4-Star Edge Rusher James Pace III for 2027 Class

AUBURN — The Auburn football program has made another significant addition to its 2027 recruiting class with the commitment of edge rusher James Pace III, who announced his decision on Friday, June 19. This follows the earlier commitment of his teammate, safety Knyair Crumb. Pace, a four-star recruit, marks the 20th player to join Auburn's upcoming class and is recognized as the third-highest-rated prospect among these recruits, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.

Pace, who stands at 6-foot-2½ and weighs 225 pounds, had an impressive 2025 season, recording 81 tackles, 14 sacks, and 10 tackles for loss. His talent has earned him recognition as a top-100 player nationally by ESPN. His commitment adds to a strong recruiting momentum for head coach Alex Golesh and his coaching staff, who have been active in securing commitments since the conclusion of spring practices on April 18.

In total, Auburn has welcomed 19 new commitments to its 2027 class since A-Day, with a remarkable 12 of these being blue-chip prospects. With Pace's addition, Auburn's recruiting class is projected to rise significantly, potentially placing them just ahead of Texas Tech for the eighth-best class in the country and surpassing Georgia for the fourth-best in the SEC, according to 247's class calculator.

Pace is currently attending DeMatha Catholic in Maryland, a school known for producing top-tier football talent. His commitment is a positive sign for Auburn as it aims to enhance its competitive edge in college football.