When Marquis Burks thinks about Auburn, there is one thing that stands out.

“That family feeling,” Burks said.

Now, he’s part of that family.

Burks, a standout at Iowa Central Community College and the No. 4 junior college defensive tackle nationally in the industry generated 247Sports Composite, publicly committed to the Tigers on Wednesday, National Signing Day. He said he actually signed with Auburn back in December. That same month, the 6-feet-3, 290-pound Burks officially visited the Tigers.

“When I got there, I was automatically comfortable,” Burks said.

A native of Chicago, Burks finished the 2019 season with 39 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 5 sacks while often facing double teams. The Tigers offered last fall and have been the favorite ever since.

“They were actually talking to me last summer,” Burks said. “That let me know that I was doing something right.”

During his recruitment, other schools showed interest, namely Texas Tech. Turrell Foster, Iowa Central’s defensive line coach, thinks Auburn is getting a steal.

“I think some schools really missed out,” Foster said. “Auburn, obviously is a very successful program on the defensive line. They evaluated him early. He fits everything they do with having a disruptive defensive line.”

According to Burks, he has great admiration and respect for Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner. He’s also impressed with Garner's track record for producing NFL talent.

“I like Coach G a lot, I really do,” Burks said. “He seems like a guy who knows what he’s doing. But with him, it’s bigger than football really. When me and my parents sat down in his office, we weren’t talking about football at all. We were just talking about family and really so much stuff outside of football it made you appreciate what type of man he is."

And, Burks added, "His track record means a lot to me. I really want to get out so I can put on for my family, get my family out of the hood.”

What will Auburn get in Burks?

“A lot of leadership,” he said. “I really want to come in and fill those shoes of Marlon (Davidson) and Derrick (Brown). When I say leadership, I mean letting guys know what’s going on — being an alpha male, really.”

At Auburn, Burks will arrive with a little chip on his shoulder.

“ I really do believe I got overlooked by a lot of schools,” he said.

With Burks on board, the 2020 class now has 26 members.