Auburn football DL sends strong message to star newcomer

When Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze managed to flip defensive end Keldric Faulk from Florida State soon after taking the job on the Plains, it was a big deal. Faulk immediately became the highest ranked Tiger in the recruiting class of 2023, and sent the message that things were now different in Auburn.

Following spring practices, Faulk impressed, and Freeze told the media that he knew the true freshman would have to play early for the Tigers. In the first few games of the 2023 season, Faulk quickly proved he has what it takes to play in the SEC, even at his young age.

Now, Auburn football defensive lineman Jayson Jones is calling on Faulk once again in the wake of the injury report that confirmed another defensive lineman, Mosiah Nasili-Kite will be out for the remainder of the season with a torn bicep, per Auburn Daily:

"“Keldric Faulk, the freshman, he’s going to have to step up,” Jones said. “Zykevious Walker, he’s going to have to get more snaps. We’re going to have to move some stuff around. I don’t know where but we’re going to have to move some stuff around because the most important thing in this league is depth. If you don’t have depth, then you don’t have fresh players, and if you don’t have fresh players, then you can’t put the best out there.”"

With a starting lineman out of the rotation, the Auburn defense will have to find a replacement quickly as they stare down a long list of SEC programs left on the schedule this season. The whole team has struggled with injuries this season, from Nehemiah Pritchett to Damari Alston to Austin Keys and more. Hopefully the bye week will allow time for the Tigers to heal up and prepare for the second half of the season.