Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers received the commitment of former Maryland tight end Rico Walker just nine days after losing to the Terrapins in the 2023 Music City Bowl in Nashville.
Walker got interest from programs including as Pitt, South Florida, Tulane, and JMU after announcing his plan to enter the transfer portal on December 1.
However, it was Auburn, where his father Ricardo formerly played on the Tigers’ defensive line in the 1990s, that ultimately won Walker over. Ricardo Walker was a rookie on Auburn’s unbeaten squad in 1993.
Walker confirmed his commitment to Freeze and the Tigers on Instagram on Monday morning.
With three years of eligibility remaining, the 6-foot-4 tight end will join The Plains.
Walker appeared in four games for the Terrapins as a rookie and caught four catches for 27 yards.
Walker, a part of the 2023 recruiting class, was rated a 4-star prospect by 247 Sports and was ranked as the seventh-best recruit in North Carolina. Walker had offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, and North Carolina, among others, throughout his recruitment.
Walker will join Rivaldo Fairweather, Luke Deal, Brandon Frazier, and Micah Riley in Auburn’s tight end room.
Walker joins Auburn’s 2024 transfer class, which now includes Walker, Georgia State wide receiver George Lewis, Kansas defensive lineman Gage Keys, Duke linebacker Dorian Mausi, and Cal quarterback-turned-wide receiver Sam Jackson V.
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