Hugh Freeze has his sights set on a top target—the No. 2 interior offensive lineman in the nation and the 31st overall prospect in the composite rankings. And while Auburn is making its move, the elite prospect’s recruiting journey has been a whirlwind, with 6 official visits set for June. Well, the 6’3”, 285-lb powerhouse from St. Christopher has already made stops at Clemson, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, LSU, PSU, and South Carolina. But now, Auburn is surging. While the Tigers are climbing his shortlist fast, Hugh Freeze is on high alert as his decision nears the finish line. As of now, can Auburn seal the deal? That’s the biggest question.

Here, on the March 30th episode of Locked On LSU, Matt Moscona dove into LSU’s next big commitment. That’s when a familiar name popped up—Darius Gray. Well, the 285-pound offensive lineman may be a top Auburn target, but Shea Dixon made one thing clear—with LSU loading up, Gray can be the next big piece. “A guy I’m circling is Darius Gray,” said Dixon. Moreover, he praised the elite prospect, stating, “He’s the number two interior lineman in the country. He was here this past weekend as LSU added all those commits and now has the number one recruiting class in the country. So we’re talking about another top-50 recruit that, if you add, only strengthens that number one class.”

However, the most intriguing part? Darius Gray has been a top priority for LSU’s offensive line coach, Brad Davis, and his staff. And when it comes to recruiting elite O-linemen, Davis and his team have been on fire. We all know they’ve pulled in top talent from all over—not just Louisiana or border states. “So, I’ll kind of lean towards a guy like Darius Gray,” stated Dixon. Adding, “O-linemen don’t seem to care much about the fanfare of official visits and photos. They just shut it down at any point. So I’ll lean towards the trenches.” So, LSU is building a powerhouse up front, and Gray can be the next piece of the puzzle.

LSU’s offensive line is shaping up to be a force in 2025. Transfers Braelin Moore (center) and Josh Thompson (guard/tackle) bring experience and power. Joining them are potential starters Carius Curne, Solomon Thomas, and Tyler Miller—key signees from the 2025 class. But the Tigers aren’t stopping there. They now have an inside track on Darius Gray, one of the top interior linemen in the 2026 class. As of now, adding him would only strengthen an already dominant unit.

Honestly, LSU is building a wall in the trenches, and Gray could be the next brick. But don’t count out Hugh Freeze and Auburn just yet. Because the Tigers are still in the fight. And Auburn insider Darrell Dapprich didn’t mince words when discussing Gray’s recruitment potential, saying, “He would be obviously the highest-rated offensive lineman if Auburn was to get him in this upcoming class. He’s the crown jewel, the one that Auburn wants. I love how Auburn’s broadening.” So, while Auburn is expanding its reach, Gray could be their next big win.

But this battle isn’t just Auburn vs. LSU. Other SEC powerhouses are making a strong push for the four-star interior lineman. As of now, the race is heating up, and the competition is fierce. So, who will come out on top? That’s only time will tell.

Who else is in the mix besides Hugh Freeze?

A few days ago, on Locked On Auburn, a guest broke down what makes Gray’s recruit so special. “This kid is 6’3”, 285 pounds—obviously, he’ll need to add some weight, but man, he’s got every big-time program chasing him. He’s highly ranked, even a five-star in some places,” said the insider. So, Gray’s dominance comes from a rare mix of size, elite athleticism, and polished technique. And just when the race seemed set, a twist came.

Well, after one official visit, Gray shocked everyone by flipping to Knoxville. Josh Heupel and his coaching staff clearly made a lasting impression. Looks like their pitch hit home, leading to a sudden change of heart. So now, the Vols might have just pulled off a recruiting heist.

However, the ball isn’t just in Tennessee’s court. Because the race is still wide open. Gray’s official visits are set for PSU, Vols, Auburn, Gamecocks, and LSU. Here, Auburn’s big date? June 10th. So, Hugh Freeze still has a chance to impress the elite OL prospect.

And here, Zack Blackerby made it clear—nothing is set in stone, stating, “A lot of folks are saying South Carolina might be the early lean, but with all these official visits, I’m never counting this coaching staff out.”

Honestly, until the ink dries, expect high-powered programs to keep making their moves.