This Auburn football linebacker changes the game for his position group

One of the biggest transfer snags for the Auburn football program this past offseason was linebacker Austin Keys, who swapped the Sip for the Plains after three seasons under Lane Kiffin. The Tigers were lacking a lot of depth in the linebacker position group, so Keys was a big get for the new coaching staff.

However, the linebacker sustained a thumb injury in the Tigers’ season opener against UMass and had to undergo surgery. He missed the next five games and returned to action against his former program several weeks ago, allowing the Tigers to have a true two-deep at the LB position.

Since his return, Keys has started in every contest and made a big difference for his position group. Coach Freeze credited Keys with helping the linebackers put on their best performance yet, per Auburn Rivals:

"“I thought our linebackers played their best game,” said AU coach Hugh Freeze. “I think Austin being back, it really gives us four guys that we can rotate and they’re not having to play, I mean, I was looking at the play count last night. I think Austin played the most, but it was 40 plays maybe and everybody else’s 20’s and 30’s.”"

But Keys’ presence on the field impacts the defense as a whole, not just the linebackers. As someone who plays more snaps than most and is a strong communicator, he helps level up each part of the defense according to Keionte Scott.

"“He just brings that hunting mentality,” said nickel Keionte Scott, who also returned from an injury against Ole Miss. “As a defense that’s what we do and what we want to do. We want to hunt. He hunts every play. He’s very physical, clogging those holes up and getting to the linemen.”"

Keys and the Auburn football defense will next hit the field against Arkansas this Saturday from Fayetteville at 3:00 p.m.