Auburn Chases Top QB and RB Recruits

New coach Alex Golesh has Tigers in contention for Rivals' No. 1 QB and No. 4 RB

Apr. 16, 2026 at 3:23am

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A cubist, geometric painting in shades of orange and blue, depicting fragmented and overlapping shapes that suggest the motion and energy of a college football game or practice.Auburn's pursuit of elite offensive recruits could reshape the future of the Tigers' program.Auburn Today

In his first few months as Auburn's new head coach, Alex Golesh and his staff have the Tigers firmly in the mix to land two of the top offensive recruits in the country - Rivals' No. 1 quarterback Will Mencl and Rivals' No. 4 running back Myson Johnson-Cook.

Why it matters

Securing commitments from elite prospects like Mencl and Johnson-Cook would be a major coup for Golesh as he looks to quickly rebuild Auburn into an SEC contender. Landing this caliber of talent could also help the Tigers make a splash on the national recruiting scene.

The details

Golesh and his staff have made Mencl and Johnson-Cook top priorities in the 2024 recruiting class. Mencl is the consensus top-ranked quarterback, while Johnson-Cook is considered one of the most dynamic running back prospects in the country.

  • Golesh was hired as Auburn's new head coach in December 2025.

The players

Alex Golesh

The new head football coach at Auburn University, hired in December 2025 to lead the Tigers' program.

Will Mencl

The Rivals' No. 1 ranked quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, who is being heavily recruited by Auburn.

Myson Johnson-Cook

The Rivals' No. 4 ranked running back in the 2024 recruiting class, who is also a top target for Auburn's coaching staff.

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What’s next

Mencl and Johnson-Cook are expected to make their college commitments in the coming months, with Auburn viewed as a leading contender for both elite prospects.

The takeaway

Golesh's ability to land commitments from top recruits like Mencl and Johnson-Cook could be a key factor in quickly rebuilding Auburn into an SEC contender.