In a move that sent shockwaves rippling across the college football landscape, five-star quarterback Elijah “EJ” Carrington has officially flipped his commitment from Wake Forest to the Auburn Tigers, stunning analysts, coaches, and fanbases nationwide. The Georgia native, ranked by several recruiting services as the No. 2 overall quarterback in the 2025 class and a consensus top-10 player nationally, announced his decision via social media late Wednesday evening with a simple yet resounding message: “I’m coming home. War Eagle.”
Carrington’s abrupt decommitment from Wake Forest, a program not often known for pulling in five-star talent, was already a storyline drawing widespread attention. But what followed—a high-profile flip to Auburn over perennial contenders like Penn State and Tennessee—escalated the news into a full-blown national headline. The decision instantly reshaped the recruiting landscape and reenergized an already surging Auburn fanbase. It also raised a series of difficult questions for Wake Forest while offering new hope to the Tigers’ faithful, who now see a path back to SEC dominance paved with elite quarterback play.
Just six months ago, Carrington shocked many by committing to Wake Forest, citing academics, a strong relationship with then-offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero, and a desire to build his own legacy outside the shadow of college football’s traditional blue bloods. “I don’t need the glitz and glam,” Carrington said at the time. “I want to make history.” That pledge became an inspiring rally cry for the Demon Deacons and helped jumpstart what was poised to be one of the most promising recruiting hauls in program history.
However, things began to shift dramatically when Auburn hired former Heisman finalist and quarterback guru Marcus Wilson as its new offensive coordinator this past February. Almost overnight, the Tigers became a serious contender. Wilson and head coach Hugh Freeze began a full-court press for Carrington, repeatedly visiting him at Milton High School and hosting him for a private, off-calendar campus tour that reportedly included sit-downs with Auburn’s academic staff and boosters. According to sources close to Carrington, the visit left a lasting impression.
“It felt different,” one of Carrington’s high school coaches told a local Alabama outlet. “It wasn’t just about football. Auburn talked about legacy, about shaping the next phase of the program, and about how EJ could be the centerpiece of something really special. He heard that loud and clear.”
Penn State and Tennessee were far from idle. The Nittany Lions pitched a stable coaching staff and a pipeline to the NFL, leaning heavily on their recent success in developing top-tier quarterbacks. Tennessee, meanwhile, offered a high-octane offensive system tailor-made for Carrington’s dual-threat skillset. For weeks, it seemed like either program could land the coveted signal-caller. But the tide began to turn when Auburn’s coaching staff prioritized Carrington above all else, making clear that he wasn’t just a want—he was a must.
Carrington’s decision was influenced not only by Auburn’s persistent pursuit but also by instability at Wake Forest. After Ruggiero’s abrupt departure to the NFL, the offense seemed adrift, and the new play-caller never developed the same rapport with Carrington. Behind the scenes, rumblings grew louder that the five-star quarterback was “keeping his options open,” especially as bigger programs continued to circle. Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson worked hard to quell rumors, even flying to Georgia to reaffirm the school’s commitment to Carrington and his family. But by mid-April, insiders began to believe a change was imminent.
When Carrington officially flipped to Auburn, the impact was immediate. Recruiting experts called it one of the biggest flips of the 2025 cycle, likening it to when Justin Fields famously flipped from Penn State to Georgia in 2017. Social media exploded. Auburn fans flooded message boards and Twitter/X with reactions ranging from elation to disbelief. “We got our guy,” wrote one poster. “The Freeze era just hit turbo mode.”
Carrington’s commitment is more than just a PR win; it represents a fundamental shift in Auburn’s recruiting identity under Hugh Freeze. The Tigers now hold commitments from five top-100 players and sit comfortably inside the top three in the 2025 recruiting rankings. More importantly, they have secured their quarterback of the future—one who has drawn comparisons to Lamar Jackson, Bryce Young, and Michael Vick for his explosive playmaking, command of the offense, and cool demeanor under pressure.
“Elijah Carrington is the total package,” said national recruiting analyst Charles Whitman. “He’s a 6-foot-3, 205-pound quarterback with a rocket arm, elite mobility, and high-level football IQ. He throws off-platform better than anyone in this class and reads defenses like a veteran. If you’re building a modern SEC offense, he’s exactly the guy you want leading it.”
Carrington’s rise has been meteoric. A breakout junior season at Milton High saw him throw for over 3,500 yards and 38 touchdowns while adding another 800 yards and 11 scores on the ground. He led his team to a state semifinal appearance and was later named Georgia’s Gatorade Player of the Year. He’s already a finalist for the Elite 11 and is expected to dominate on the camp circuit this summer.
Yet what may separate Carrington most is his mindset. Despite the hype, he remains grounded. In interviews, he credits his mother—an ICU nurse—for teaching him resilience, and his father, a former Marine, for instilling discipline. “They keep me focused on what matters,” Carrington said. “At the end of the day, it’s about how I treat people and how hard I work. That’s what I want my teammates and coaches to know about me.”
Auburn coaches have raved about those intangibles behind the scenes. Sources close to the program say Carrington already has the respect of current players, many of whom have reached out to welcome him into the fold. Offensive coordinator Marcus Wilson is expected to tailor the offense to Carrington’s strengths, installing more RPO concepts and designed quarterback runs to maximize his skill set.
Recruiting-wise, Carrington’s flip could have a domino effect. Top-tier wide receivers, tight ends, and offensive linemen often follow elite quarterbacks, and Auburn is reportedly back in the mix for five-star receiver Jaden Langston, who had been leaning toward Ohio State. Another name to watch is offensive tackle Jeremiah Boone, a top-50 prospect who trains with Carrington in the offseason and has expressed interest in joining forces at the next level.
Carrington’s decision also carries serious implications for Wake Forest, a program that invested heavily in building around its once-in-a-generation recruit. The Demon Deacons are now scrambling to pivot, and the timing couldn’t be worse. With most of the elite quarterbacks in the class already committed, Clawson and his staff may be forced to look at the transfer portal or under-the-radar prospects to fill the void.
As for Penn State and Tennessee, both programs remain well-positioned but will now shift their efforts toward other targets. Tennessee may redouble efforts to land four-star QB Chris Morrow from Texas, while Penn State is eyeing Ohio standout Carter Livingston. Still, missing out on Carrington stings. He wasn’t just a top prospect—he was viewed as a potential program-changer.