Once the recruits start jumping ship, you know a coach is in trouble. Auburn's loss of 4-star defensive lineman Nate Kamba isn't an immediate foreboding that DJ Durkin is losing his job, but paired with a defensive disaster of an effort against LSU, it's nothing remotely positive for AU.
Kamba flipped to South Carolina, which was coming off its own big win over Tennessee the day before. Kamba posted, "(All Glory to God) I'm finally home." He's the No. 28 defensive lineman in the country out of Corvian Community in Charlotte.
“I've always felt comfortable at South Carolina, and the relationships are so strong," Kamba said of Shane Beamer's coaching staff.
Flips typically predate firings. Just ask Hugh Freeze.
By the time John Cohen finally cut the cord on the Hugh Freeze era, Auburn was down to No. 32 nationally in 2026 recruiting. If Durkin keeps losing defensive recruits, you'll know what could be coming for the Tigers' defensive coordinator.
Durkin still has a strong blue-chip base for the 2027 class, including cornerback Chance Gilbert, linebacker Isaac McNeil, EDGE James Pace, defensive lineman Donivan Moore, defensive lineman Marquis Evans, EDGE Rion Jackson, linebacker Kareem Palmer, and cornerback Aidyn Wiggins. The class is No. 15 overall right now.
The sky isn't falling. Yet.
If Auburn lays another egg against Ole Miss, which is highly possible, given how Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has been moving, and things get worse on the recruiting trail, there'd be a level of deja vu.
Freeze was fired last November. It may as well be a yearly tradition for some sort of coaching changes in Lee County, Alabama, when the regular season's final month begins.
The Xavier Atkins suspension and removal were a very bad look for Durkin. Alex Golesh had to drop the hammer that Durkin was refusing to, potentially dating back to last season. That's probably another negative indicator for Durkin.
Who could replace DJ Durkin as defensive coordinator?
Former Tennessee defensive coordinator and current AU safeties coach Tim Banks is a very obvious replacement in the DC role if Durkin is relieved of his duties.
Thus far, the safety room has been a defensive highlight.
Eric Winters helped seal the win over Baylor in Week 1 with a game-winning tackle on a two-point conversion attempt, while AnQuon Fegans had a key interception during the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry upset win over Georgia. Sylvester Smith-Reed has been strong at the Star position, while Champ Anthony has been a versatile veteran tying the group together.
There's a very legitimate backup plan if Durkin isn't long for the Plains.
After the Kamba flip, it's important to see if any other defenders follow. That will tell us all we need to know about Durkin's future at Auburn.
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