VALDOSTA — After concluding a stellar career as a Wildcat, Valdosta High linebacker Zakoby McClain will begin the next leg of his journey as a Tiger.

Tuesday, Rivals.com’s 15th-ranked recruit in the state took to Twitter to announce he’s committing to play football at Auburn.

At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, McClain has earned himself plenty of recognition around the country with his play on the field and his performance at some high-profile camps this summer.

The consensus four-star prospect earned all-state recognition by piling up 123 tackles, including 20 for a loss, and forcing three fumbles a year ago as he led Valdosta to its first state championship since 1998.

On the heels of the title season, McClain competed at the Atlanta Nike Opening Regional and Rivals’ 3 Stripe Regional Camp in Orlando before earning an invite to the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge in Indianapolis.

Standout performance’s helped McClain earn 23 offers from some of the top football programs from around the country, including: Michigan State, Florida State, LSU, Nebraska and Oregon, but McClain said he knew where he was going to end up.

“I’ve been wanting to commit to Auburn,” McClain said. “I just wanted to keep everybody guessing.

“I like the coaching staff, the players and the fans. I love the visit I went on.”

The Tigers couldn’t have picked a better time to bring McClain in to Jordan-Hare Stadium. McClain was part of the crowd watching No. 6 Auburn upset rival No. 1 Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

“It was amazing,” McClain said. “I loved it. The crowd was wild. Coaches were making me feel like I was at home.”

Despite McClain’s love for Auburn, one recruiter remained steadfast in his determination to lure the linebacker away from the southeast — teammate Jayce Rogers.

Rogers, a three-star cornerback prospect, committed to West Virginia in July, and he’s tried to convince McClain to join him, and former Valdosta corner and Ohio State transfer Joshua Norwood, in Morgantown.

McClain and Rogers are very close, having been teammates since their time at Pinevale Elementary, and it was difficult for the linebacker to part ways with his teammate as they begin their college careers.

“I talked to him after I committed,” McClain said. “He kept calling my phone and I didn’t answer because I didn’t know what to say to him.

“But then he text me and said that he loved me and all, and that he was proud of me.”

But ultimately, McClain decided it was best for him to become the 18th member of the Tigers’ 2018 class, which is up to No. 11 spot in the 247Sports Composite team rankings.

An outside linebacker for most of his Valdosta career before moving inside for his senior campaign, McClain will got a shot at all three spots with Auburn before settling to the position that fits him best.

Derrick Davis is the sports editor at the Valdosta Daily Times.