Auburn Tigers News: Tight end enters transfer portal, Luke Deal earns mini-camp invite

In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, a tight end enters the portal, and Luke Deal receives an invitation to an NFL mini-camp

The Auburn football program lost its eighth player to the spring transfer portal window earlier this week. Reserve tight end Rico Walker announced he would be parting ways with the program after spending one season on the Plains.

Walker began his collegiate career at Maryland as a 4-star recruit in the class of 2023. He spent one year with the Terrapins and recorded four catches for 27 yards. In his year with Auburn football, he played in five games but did not record any stats.

With veteran tight end Brandon Frazier returning and the addition of Preston Howard, a recent transfer from Maryland, it is likely that Walker would have been pushed out of the rotation and he is now seeking increased playing time at his next stop.

Luke Deal receives an invitation to an NFL mini-camp

After six years on the Plains with Auburn football, tight end Luke Deal's journey with the sport is not over yet. Earlier this week, it was announced that the former Tiger received an invite to a mini-camp with the Detroit Lions after he was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Deal was known for his leadership during his time with Auburn, serving as a two-time team captain and helping with various culture and leadership councils and similar things. During his career on the Plains, he recorded 17 catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns.

NFL mini-camps are three-day sets of practice and classroom sessions that are part of the offseason workout program and serve as a sort of orientation for rookies. Deal will have the opportunity to earn a contract on the Lions' offseason roster with his invitation to their mini-camp.