AUBURN, Ala. — (247 Sports) Auburn landed a commitment Monday from talented 2021 tight end prospect Landen King, a big-framed pass-catcher from Humble (Texas) Atascocita in the Houston metro area. Auburn surged in the 6-foot-5, 210-pound King's recruitment after his May 22 decommitment from Texas, to which he originally pledged April 26.
Auburn originally offered King on April 3. He broke down his decision to commit to the Tigers with 247Sports.
"Auburn, with all of the things in consideration, coach (Chad) Morris' use of the tight end, the relationship I made with the coaching staff, and getting my feet wet playing, it was the best decision. A no-brainer," King said. "Their plans are to develop me into a tight end. Of course I can run routes and catch the ball, but coach (Larry) Porter will teach me the ways of blocking."
The industry-generated 247Sports Composite rates King as a high three-star recruit who is ranked No. 23 nationally among 2021 tight end prospects. He is also ranked No. 73 overall regardless of position in the state of Texas for his class. King, who competes in select 7-on-7 with Pro Process Academy, is the 10th commitment for Auburn in the 2021 class and the third Texas high school football prospect to pledge to the Tigers, who have made inroads in Houston in this cycle.
Auburn's coaching staff played a major role in King's decision. The Tigers landed King's commitment over almost 30 other offers. When asked with which coaches King has grown close, he said everybody.
"All of the coaching staff," King emphasized. "Literally every single one."
In addition to Auburn and Texas, King's laundry list of major offers includes Alabama, Georgia, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech, and Washington, among other schools.
King's size and frame make him an intriguing pass-catching option as he continues to physically develop in the Auburn strength and conditioning program. His experience so far in his high school career has predominantly come as a big outside receiver, but he believes he can become a true, well-rounded tight end who fits multiple personnel situations.
"I believe it is my versatility, being able to line up at slot receiver, outside receiver, H-back, attached tight end, and unattached tight end. All-in-one game," King said of his strengths, adding the areas in which he's working to improve. "Working out everything. Blocking, hand placement, catching speed, the whole nine."
As a junior, King earned first-team all-district honors at H-back in Texas District 22-6A. He caught 53 passes for 853 yards and nine touchdowns as he averaged 16.1 yards per reception. He helped Atascocita to a 12-2 record and a Texas Class 6A Division I state quarterfinal berth.
King joins Galena Park (Texas) North Shore four-star quarterback Dematrius Davis and four-star offensive guard Jaeden Roberts as the Lone Star State products in Auburn's 2021 class. Last fall, Davis and Roberts' North Shore squad beat King's Atascocita team 76-49 in the fourth round of the playoffs en route to North Shore's second consecutive Texas 6A D-I state title.