AUBURN, ALABAMA — Auburn’s already loaded defensive line class has added another big piece.

Deandre Butler will be a Tiger.

Butler, a standout at Independence Community College (Kan.) and the No. 1-ranked junior college strong-side end in the industry generated 247Sports composite, committed to the Tigers on Sunday during his official visit.

"I just committed," Butler said Sunday afternoon. "I love this place. Everything was good. You know, the coaches -- I just love the vibes with the coaches. That stood out a lot. You don't don't get a head coach like Coach (Gus) Malzahn. He's real genuine. Everything was up front. He kept it real with me the whole trip. He didn't show any flaws. Everything was just genuine and I respected that lot."

The Georgia native picked Auburn over Oklahoma, which he visited the previous weekend, and Oregon. Several other programs tried to get involved, including Tennessee, which offered him a scholarship last week.

Butler said he has canceled next week's scheduled official to Oregon.

Butler is commitment No. 24 in the 2020 class for the Tigers. The other 23 already have signed. Now, Butler will join them National Signing Day part 2, which is Feb. 5

With Butler now on board, he joins Jay Hardy, Daniel Foster-Allen and Zykeivous Walker, a trio of ends/tackles, and buck Romello Height to form one of the top defensive line classes in college football for 2020. Walker and Height enrolled at Auburn earlier this month.

Because last season was his first playing at ICC (he sat out the 2018 season), Butler will have four years to play three seasons at his next stop. He is a May graduate.

Butler, listed at 6-feet-5, 285 pounds, was such a high priority for Auburn down the stretch, he was defensive line coach Rodney Garner’s first recruiting visit after the dead period ended two weeks ago.

In 10 games last season, Butler led ICC in total tackles (66), sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss (22).

Auburn offered him a scholarship Dec. 3, but Garner actually started communicating with him during the early part of the 2019 season.

Before landing at ICC, Butler played at Newton High just east of Atlanta.

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