Hugh Freeze's Tigers making push to draw jumbo athlete off Aggie commitment

It's never an easy life trying to recruit in the SEC, and Aggieland was reminded of that Monday when it was revealed that quarterback/athlete Kaeden Johnson — the sixth-ranked athlete in the country — plans to take a game-day visit to Auburn this season despite his commitment to Texas A&M.

To make matters more difficult, Johnson is an Auburn legacy: His father, Spencer Johnson, played for the Tigers from 2000 to 2003.

Auburn looking to snag commitment away from Texas A&M football

Johnson was quick to commit to Mike Elko and his Aggies after receiving an offer this summer but Auburn has been hot on the trail since then, pulling at the chance for the Missouri City (Texas) product to don the same jersey as his father.

“A lot of people don’t get that chance; it’s such a blessing," Johnson told Sam Spiegelman of On3.com/Rivals.

Johnson, a two-sport athlete in football and basketball at Fort Bend Marshall High School, threw for 2,100 yards and 25 touchdowns this past season while adding 571 yards and six scores on the ground. While his heart may be pulling him toward The Plains, he assured that his intentions to suit up at Kyle Field remain strong.

"My family and I love the entire staff there," Johnson continued. "I talk to them every day. The bar is set super high with Coach Ellsworth, Coach Troop, Coach Mann, Coach Klein … I know the role the coaches see me in at A&M, and I love it."

It's no coincidence that the Aggies' foresight to offer Johnson as a tight end coincided with his jump in rankings— and a subsequent bevy of offers from around the country, including Auburn. Hopefully, being first in line will help the Aggies.

We're still 184 days away from National Signing Day so anything can happen between now and then but until the pen is put to paper, this pursuit will need to be closely monitored.