Jay Hardy will be a Tiger.

Auburn's defensive line recruiting got a big boost Wednesday morning when 4-star end Jay Hardy of Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie School committed to the Tigers over in-state Tennessee.

The 6-feet-4, 290-pound Hardy is the No. 97 recruit in the country for 247Sports and checks in at No. 113 overall in the industry generated 247Sports Composite.

Hardy officially visited Tennessee two weekends ago, then took an official to Auburn last weekend. That was Hardy's third overall visit with the Tigers.

“It went great,” Hardy said. “I liked the atmosphere (at the game). I had a good experience with (Auburn buck) Derick Hall after the game, too. He was my player-host and got his first start. He told me (defensive line coach Rodney Garner) is going to push you until your breaking point. I had a lot of time with Coach (Gus) Malzahn and Coach G.,” Hardy said. “I talked to Coach Malzahn before the game and had breakfast with him Sunday morning. He said they can’t find any big guys like Marlon Davidson and how I could be just like him when he leaves. I think I could fit in tremendously, definitely be able to be a big bulk on the defensive line inside and out.”

Hardy is commitment No. 19 for Auburn, which jumped from No. 13 to No. 8 in the 247Sports recruiting team rankings with his verbal. His choice of Auburn came as a surprise to many. In the 247Sports Crystal Ball, all seven recorded predictions gave Tennessee the edge.

The Tigers now have two defensive linemen on the 2020 commitment list as Hardy joins Daniel Foster-Allen of Mobile (Ala.) St. Paul's Episcopal. The Tigers hope to add at least two more linemen to the class, with one being an edge rusher or buck linebacker type and another being a tackle.

To Hardy, Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner was a big key to this commitment.

“I feel like he tells me the truth about everything,” Hardy said. “I’ve talked to some of the players and they say he is straight-on, doesn’t lie about anything. He lets you know the truth. What he had at Georgia was crazy, Geno Atkins. And what he has now at Auburn. The whole D-line could go first round.”

According to Hardy, he plans to attend Auburn's upcoming home games against Georgia and Alabama.

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