“I Want to Be Like Cam!” – 4-Star QB Stokes Stuns Nation by Choosing Auburn in Legacy Decision
The Auburn Tigers just landed a commitment that sent shockwaves through college football—and it came with a declaration that will echo across the SEC. Four-star quarterback prospect Ryder Stokes, one of the most coveted recruits in the 2025 class, stunned the recruiting world by choosing Auburn over powerhouse offers from Alabama, Tennessee, and BYU. His reason? Two words: **Cam Newton.**
“I want to be like Cam,” Stokes announced at his commitment ceremony, wearing an Auburn hat while Newton’s iconic 2010 Heisman pose flashed on screens behind him. “Auburn is where legends are made, and I’m ready to write my own story.” The moment was pure electricity, a full-circle declaration linking Auburn’s past glory to its future ambitions.
Stokes, a dynamic 6’3″ dual-threat QB from Texas, had been heavily pursued by Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama staff and Josh Heupel’s Tennessee program, both of whom pitched immediate playing time in high-octane offenses. BYU, with its national brand and quarterback-friendly system, was also in the mix. But in the end, Hugh Freeze’s relentless pursuit—and the ghost of Cam Newton—sealed the deal.
“This isn’t just about football; it’s about legacy,” Stokes told reporters. “When I visited Auburn, they didn’t just show me plays—they showed me the impact a quarterback can have there. Cam changed the game. Now I want to bring that back.” His commitment is a seismic win for Freeze, who has made quarterback development a cornerstone of his rebuild. With Stokes’ elite arm talent and 4.5 speed, the comparisons to Newton’s game are inevitable—and now, the pressure to deliver on them begins.
The reaction was instant. Auburn fans erupted on social media, flooding timelines with clips of Newton’s 2010 Iron Bowl heroics alongside Stokes’ highlights. Meanwhile, Alabama and Tennessee supporters grappled with the rare sting of losing a top-tier QB to their SEC rival. Analysts were equally stunned—247Sports’ Greg Biggins called it “the most symbolic commitment of the cycle,” while ESPN’s Tom Luginbill noted, “Auburn just got more than a quarterback. They got a statement.”
For Freeze, this is a program-defining victory. Stokes isn’t just a building block; he’s a beacon to other recruits that Auburn can still attract transcendent talent. And with the Tigers’ 2025 class now surging into top-10 rankings, the momentum is undeniable.
As for Stokes? He’s already embracing the challenge. When asked about following Newton’s footsteps, he grinned and said, “Pressure makes diamonds. War Eagle.” The message was clear: Auburn’s next chapter starts now—and it might just have a familiar ending.
