Just a mere nine days after the defeat suffered by Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers against the Maryland Terrapins in the 2023 Music City Bowl in Nashville, Freeze and the Tigers secured the commitment of Rico Walker, a former tight end from Maryland.

Having declared his intention to enter the transfer portal on December 1, Walker garnered interest from various programs such as Pitt, South Florida, Tulane, and JMU. However, in the end, it was Auburn that won him over, a school with a sentimental connection as his father, Ricardo, had played on the Tigers’ defensive line in the 90s, notably as a freshman on Auburn’s undefeated 1993 team. Walker announced his commitment to Freeze and the Tigers via an Instagram post on Monday morning.

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, the tight end brings three years of eligibility with him to The Plains. His freshman season with the Terrapins saw him participating in only four games, amassing four receptions for 27 yards.

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A part of the 2023 recruiting class, Walker was highly rated as a 4-star prospect by 247 Sports and ranked as the seventh-best recruit from the state of North Carolina. Throughout his recruitment process, he received offers from prestigious institutions such as Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, and North Carolina.

Upon joining Auburn, Walker will contribute to a tight end group that includes returning players Rivaldo Fairweather, Luke Deal, Brandon Frazier, and Micah Riley.

This commitment marks Walker as the fifth addition to Auburn’s 2024 transfer class, joining the ranks of Georgia State wide receiver George Lewis, Kansas defensive lineman Gage Keys, Duke linebacker Dorian Mausi, and Cal quarterback-turned-wide receiver Sam Jackson V.