Tight end is a major need for Auburn and the Tigers have landed one of the best in the 2017 class.

Salvatore Cannella, the No. 2 junior college tight end in the 247Sports Composite, committed to Auburn on Wednesday and signed his National Letter of Intent.

The 6-feet-6, 230-pound Cannella had 29 receptions for 443 yards and seven touchdowns in 2016. He will have four years to play three seasons at his next stop. Cannella is a mid-year transfer.

He chose Auburn over Texas and Maryland.

Auburn offered him a scholarship two weeks ago and he officially visited a week later. That trip was followed by an official to Texas. In the end, it came down to those two programs.

What does Cannella like most about Auburn?

"The tradition, it's the best competition in the country -- you're playing against the best," Cannella said. "If you want to be the best you've got to beat the best. That's just how I feel. I've always wanted to play in the SEC. That's been one of my things."

During his official visit to Auburn, the Tigers staff compared Cannella to former Auburn tight end C.J. Umzomah, who now plays in the NFL, because of his frame and pass-catching abilities.

At this time, Auburn has just one scholarship tight end — redshirt freshman Jalen Harris.

Cannella will arrive at Auburn in January.

Cannella is commitment No. 18 for the Tigers, who moved up one spot to No. 9 in the 247Sports recruiting team rankings with his verbal.

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