Auburn is holding on to one of the crown jewels of its 2016 recruiting class.

Five-star defensive end Marlon Davidson (Greenville, Ala.) announced via Twitter he is sticking with the Tigers despite late pushes from other programs.

While this was not unexpected (Davidson has long been an Auburn lean and his brother played at AU and is on staff there), certainly the defensive coaching staff being in flux (Will Muschamp and Travaris Robinson both left for South Carolina, where Muschamp is the head coach) provided for some anxious moments for fans on the plains.

Davidson has already signed grant-in-aid paperwork and plans to enroll at Auburn shortly after competing in the Under Armour All-American game in January.

This is the second straight cycle that Auburn has signed at least one instant impact, franchise-level defensive lineman. Byron Cowart signed with the Tigers on signing day last year out of Armwood High in Seffner, Fla., and helped right away.

A similar impact is possible with Davidson this coming season. With Auburn rebuilding its defense personnel-wise and with a third defensive coordinator in three years taking the reigns, adding talent like this certainly is needed.

Davidson is the No. 16 overall prospect in the 2016 recruiting cycle per 247Sports Composite rankings.