Auburn will walk into Davis Wade Stadium next Saturday and find two freshmen it tried hard to sign wearing maroon and white.

One of them was committed to the Tigers for most of last fall. The other had an official visit to Jordan-Hare Stadium lined up before he stuck with his pledge to Mississippi State. By the time Auburn arrives, both could be playing much bigger roles than anyone in Starkville planned on back in August.

Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Isaac Smith (2) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Mississippi State entered Saturday's homecoming game against Vanderbilt at 4-4, with Auburn, FCS Tennessee Tech and the Egg Bowl at Ole Miss still to come.…