In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, special teams coordinator Tanner Burns gets additional duties, and the Tigers host a former Alabama linebacker
With Charles Kelly headed to Jacksonville State and Josh Aldridge headed to East Carolina University, there have been some shakeups on the Tigers' defensive staff ahead of the 2025 season. A couple of weeks ago, it was announced that assistant TJ Rushing would be promoted to an on-field role to help Wesley McGriff in the secondary, and now a second coach will provide additional help.
Special teams coordinator Tanner Burns will take on some defensive duties and help coach the Tigers' nickels, according to AL.com. Burns coached special teams and linebackers at Liberty under head coach Hugh Freeze before the pair took jobs at Auburn ahead of the 2023 season. Before his time at Liberty, Burns was a quality control staff member for special teams at Arkansas from 2014-2018.
The Tigers host a former Alabama linebacker
The transfer portal officially closed last weekend, and although undergrad players can no longer enter, those in the portal can still set up visits and try to determine their next program. Graduate players can enter the transfer portal at any time.
The Tigers brought in 14 players from the portal but could still use additional help in several positions of need, so the visits continue to get scheduled.
Friday, former Alabama linebacker Jeremiah Alexander hit the transfer portal, and by Saturday the transfer was on the Plains for a visit.
"It's been a beautiful campus, man," Alexander said, per Auburn Rivals. "Getting to make relationships with Coach (DJ) Durkin and the guys on staff. It's been a nice and smooth transition here, coming here and exploring the campus. Meeting with academics and talking to the weight room and nutritionists, man. It's a beautiful campus."
Alexander plans to visit several more programs, including Clemson, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss, before making his final decision.