Former Michigan signee Bear McWhorter has officially committed to Auburn University, becoming the latest addition to the Tigers’ 2026 football recruiting class. The announcement came on Monday night when McWhorter revealed his decision on social media, giving Auburn a boost on the offensive line as the Tigers look to continue building under new head coach Alex Golesh.
McWhorter, a physically imposing interior offensive lineman from Cass High School in Cartersville, Georgia, stands around 6-foot-3.5 and 293 pounds, and is rated as a three-star prospect in the class of 2026 by the 247Sports Composite. He’s ranked among the top interior offensive linemen in his class, showcasing the kind of size and ability that Auburn hopes will translate to immediate depth on The Plains.
What makes McWhorter’s commitment especially noteworthy is the path he took to get here. Earlier in December, he signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) with the University of Michigan, choosing the Wolverines over other major programs including Alabama. However, that commitment was short-lived. Following the firing of Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, McWhorter requested and was granted a release from his NLI, reopening his recruitment at the last minute.
Auburn wasted no time in pursuing McWhorter once he hit the open market. Golesh and his staff — including offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick — moved quickly to make a strong pitch. The Tigers had actually offered McWhorter back in May 2023, and the renewed interest paid off as he opted to switch his commitment to Auburn soon after his release from Michigan.
Another storyline in McWhorter’s recruitment is his connection to current Auburn freshman Kail Ellis; the two were high school teammates and are now reunited in college. That familiarity, along with Auburn’s clear vision for his development, played a part in his decision to join the Tigers rather than pursue other options.
For Auburn, McWhorter’s addition helps address one of the program’s biggest needs. The Tigers saw some turnover on the offensive line recently, including departures to the transfer portal and roster changes under the new coaching regime. Bringing in McWhorter — a talented lineman with major Power 5 experience on his résumé — adds valuable competition and depth to a position group that will be crucial in both pass protection and run blocking in the highly competitive SEC.
McWhorter’s commitment also signals a recruiting win for Auburn’s newly formed staff, showing they can still bring in talented players even after the traditional early signing period has ended. For McWhorter personally, the move represents a fresh start and a chance to make an immediate impact in one of college football’s toughest conferences.
In summary, Bear McWhorter’s commitment fortifies Auburn’s offensive line depth and highlights the Tigers’ recruiting momentum under coach Alex Golesh. His journey from Michigan signee to Auburn commit underscores the fluid nature of college football recruiting, especially amid coaching changes and shifting roster landscapes.