Saraland’s All-State defensive lineman Antonio Coleman remains committed to Auburn, but he hasn’t entirely ruled out Alabama. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound junior, who recently visited Alabama’s campus, was impressed by what he saw and heard from the coaching staff, particularly new coach Kalen DeBoer and defensive line coach Freddie Roach. Coleman praised DeBoer’s winning mentality and Roach’s fatherly approach, noting the positive experience during his visit.
Coleman initially committed to Alabama last September but flipped his commitment to Auburn just before Christmas. However, he acknowledged that Alabama still holds a place in his mind, even as he remains firmly committed to Auburn. Coleman cited his admiration for Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze’s straightforward and honest communication style, which has solidified his commitment to the Tigers.
Despite his commitment to Auburn, Coleman mentioned that USC and Miami might be in his top five, expressing interest in visiting both schools. As a key player for Saraland, Coleman helped lead his team to their second consecutive Class 6A final in 2023, recording 62 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. He plans to focus on improving his pad level, footwork, and leadership skills during the offseason.
Coleman is part of a strong recruiting class for Auburn, joining other top in-state juniors like Jakaleb Faulk, Jourdin Crawford, and Malik Autry. Despite sharing a name with former Auburn star Antonio Coleman, the Saraland standout is not related to the current Williamson head coach.