Tag: Jeremy Garrett

Hugh Freeze promotes Vontrell King-Williams to defensive line coach

King-Williams replaces Jeremy Garrett, who recently took a position with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] did not have to search long, or even far, to find his next defensive line coach.

Former defensive line coach [autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag] was named defensive line coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, and his replacement was in-house. According to a report by Brian Stultz of Auburn Rivals, analyst [autotag]Vontrell King-Williams[/autotag] has been promoted to defensive line coach.

King-Williams joined Freeze’s staff last January as an analyst, working primarily with Auburn’s defensive line alongside Garrett. Before his time at Auburn, King-Williams served as defensive line coach for Eastern Michigan for the 2022 season and was a graduate assistant for EMU from 2018-19. He previously worked on Freeze’s staff at Liberty as a defensive graduate assistant for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Garrett spoke of King-Williams last year in an interview with Auburn Undercover, saying that he knows how to build relationships with players.

“He’s a really good coach. He’s a smart coach. He’s a really good teacher. He knows the players and gets to know those guys well,” Garrett said of King-Williams. “I just think what he’s going to bring to the table, it’s going to be a dynamic duo in recruiting and teaching these guys.”

The promotion of King-Williams to the on-field staff will cause shifting among the staff. Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reports that linebackers coach [autotag]Josh Aldridge[/autotag] will now coach EDGE rushers while newly-named defensive coordinator [autotag]DJ Durkin[/autotag] will handle linebackers.

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Auburn DL coach Jeremy Garrett to take on similar role with Jacksonville Jaguars

Garrett returns to the NFL ranks after spending one season on the Plains.

Just when we thought Auburn’s coaching staff had been finalized for the 2024 season, an unforeseen wrench was thrown into the plan.

Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported Friday that Auburn defensive line coach [autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag] is expected to bolt to the NFL to take on a similar role with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The move will be Garrett’s second time as an NFL assistant coach, as he served as an assistant defensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns from 2020-21. He returned to the college ranks in 2022 as a part of Hugh Freeze’s staff at Liberty before making the move to Auburn in 2023.

[autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] and [autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag] are the two notable defensive linemen who were the most productive under Garrett’s leadership in 2023, his lone season at Auburn. Harris recorded 40 total tackles and led the team with seven sacks. Faulk as a true freshman made 36 tackles with a sack and a pass deflection.

Auburn’s defense ranked 12th in the SEC in total tackles last season with 752 total, and finished No. 7 in sacks with 31. Auburn defensive linemen contributed 160 tackles and 12 sacks to that total.

Head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] has reeled in defensive upgrades to his staff such as [autotag]DJ Durkin[/autotag] and [autotag]Charles Kelly[/autotag] this offseason. Who will Freeze talk with about filling the recent vacancy on his staff?

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Jaguars reportedly hiring Auburn’s Jeremy Garrett as DL coach

The Jaguars are reportedly hiring Auburn defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly pulling from the collegiate ranks to fill their defensive line coach vacancy. According to 247Sports, the Jaguars have tabbed Auburn coach Jeremy Garrett to fill the position.

Garrett isn’t completely new to the NFL after spending the 2020 and 2021 seasons as an assistant defensive line coach with the Cleveland Browns. He joined Liberty in 2022 as defensive line coach and then took the same position at Auburn in 2023.

During his only season with the Tigers, the team finished with 31 sacks (42nd most in the country) and allowed 4.35 yards per rush attempt (85th best). While those numbers aren’t much special, they were an improvement from the 2022 season when the team finished 78th and 105th in those stats, respectively.

In his one year at Liberty, the team finished first in the nation in tackles for loss (121) and was third in sacks (45).

The Jaguars’ defensive line was stout against the run for much of the 2023 season, but struggled late in the year. Three of Jacksonville’s last six opponents racked up more than 150 rushing yards, including the Tennessee Titans in Week 18.

Jacksonville also struggled to find much pass rush from the interior. Roy Robertson-Harris recorded 3.5 sacks and Adam Gotsis notched one.

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Four-star DL Andrew Maddox: ‘I love Auburn’

Auburn continues to impress four-star defensive lineman Andrew Maddox.

Four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Andre Maddox[/autotag] was recently back in Auburn for another visit and [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and Co. continue to impress the  Hattiesburg, Mississippi, product.

“They’re at my top five,” Maddox told On3’s Cole Pinkston. “I love Auburn, it is a great place to be. Every time I have gone up there I have enjoyed it. The people up there have been great to me, my family too. I am appreciative of everybody that’s up there. They’re in my top five. I have enjoyed everything about it.”

It was his third trip to the Plains after he came to watch Auburn play Mississippi State and Alabama last season.

Maddox is the No. 65 overall player and No. 5 defensive lineman in the On3 industry ranking. The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder is also the No. 3 player from Mississippi.

Defensive line coach [autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag] has already landed several top targets along the defensive line in Antonio Coleman, Jourdin Crawford, Malik Autry and Kalen Edwards and the Tigers would love to add the talented Maddox to the class.

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Other schools are pushing, but Auburn is ‘still home’ for 4-star DL commit Malik Autry

Auburn 2025 commit Malik Autry is still receiving interest from schools across the country.

Four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Malik Autry[/autotag] has been committed to Auburn since February and while other schools are trying to flip him, he is still firm in his commitment.

“It’s still home for me,” Autry told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I talk to coach (hugh) Freeze, the head coach, and the defensive line coach ([autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag]) the most. Coach Garrett and I talk about every other day and I talk to coach Freeze about two times a week on Monday and Friday. The main thing right now is that Auburn is the school that pushes the hardest. Auburn fans are really great too.”

From nearby Opelika, Autry is Auburn’s longest-held commit in the 2025 cycle by over six months and has become a core piece of a top 10 class. He is the No. 233 overall player and No. 22 defensive lineman in the On3 Industry ranking. The 6-foot-5, 285-pounder is also the No. 15 player from Alabama.

Auburn may be home, but that doesn’t mean other schools are not reaching out to Autry. He has taken several trips to Florida, Georgia and Alabama since committing and they would love to pry him away from Freeze and Co.

The Tigers will have to battle to hold onto Autry, but they have promiximity to home and his commitment on their side.

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Elite edge rusher Jamonta Waller signs with Auburn

Jamonta Waller is one of the countries best edge rushers and he is now an Auburn Tiger.

One of Auburn’s most important commitments is officially a Tiger.

The Tigers are in need of help rushing the passer and [autotag]Jamonta Waller[/autotag] is someone who can come in and immediately get after the quarterback. The Picayune, Mississippi native signed his national letter of intent with the Tigers on Wednesday, completing a critical recruitment for [autotag]Ron Roberts[/autotag] and [autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag].

Waller originally committed to the Florida Gators but Auburn kept recruiting him and were ultimately able to flip the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder. He is the No. 82 overall player and No. 6 edge in the 247Sports composite ranking. He is also the No. 2 player from Mississippi.

Expect him to push for immediate playing time at jack alongside [autotag]Jalen McLeod[/autotag] once he arrives on the Plains. Stay up-to-date with the latest signing day news by checking out Auburn Wire’s early signing period tracker.

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4-star DL Malik Blocton signs letter of intent with Auburn

Malik Blocton is Auburn’s first signee of the day.

[autotag]Malik Blocton[/autotag] is Auburn’s first signee of the 2024 recruiting class, with Auburn announcing he had signed his national letter of intent Wednesday morning.

He is coming off of a dominant senior season for Pike Road, where he recorded 118 tackles, 30 tackles for a loss, 14.0 sacks and 21 quarterback hurries in 14 games. The younger brother of former Auburn star [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag], Blocton held his signing ceremony on Dec. 11 but couldn’t officially sign until the early signing period opened on Wednesday.

He is the No. 411 overall player and No. 46 defensive lineman in the 247Sports composite ranking. He is also the No. 23 player from Alabama.

At 6-foot-4 and 275-pounds he has the size and strength to play along the interior of the defensive line for [autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag] but also has the athleticism and speed to line up at defensive end. With Auburn lacking numbers across the defensive line, that versatility is key and could lead to some early playing time, even though it is tough for true freshmen to play along the lines.

Stay up-to-date with the latest signing day news by checking out Auburn Wire’s early signing period tracker.

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4-star DL Amaris Williams: ‘Auburn has a big chance right now’

Auburn is looking to flip a second four-star defender from the Florida Gators.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and Auburn’s coaching staff made several big additions last year during the early signing period and they are looking to do so once again. One of their top targets is four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Amaris Williams[/autotag], who has been committed to Florida since June.

They have already shown the ability to steal a commit from the Gators, flipping four-star edge rusher [autotag]Jamonta Waller[/autotag] earlier this cycle and following an official visit to the Plains, Williams admitted the Tigers could do so once again.

“Auburn has a big chance right now,” Williams told Auburn Undercover’s Christian Clemente. “Even though awhile back I told Coach JG ([autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag]) I wasn’t considering Auburn at the time, I feel like that’s just because I never visited and because of what I had already seen from other colleges. Actually being here today and seeing what it’s all about, it’s a really big chance I could come here.”

Williams is the No. 84 overall player and No. 12 defensive lineman in the 247Sports composite ranking. The Clinton product is also the No. 1 player from North Carolina.

It won’t be easy for Auburn to land Williams, Florida is fighting to hold onto him and Ohio State and Georgia are both pushing for a flip and can’t be counted out.

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Penn DL Joey Slackman earns Auburn offer

Slackman is one of the top available players that currently occupy the transfer portal.

Following the news of [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag]’ decision to enter the NFL draft, Auburn will need to find someone to fill the role of premier defensive lineman.

Head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag], defensive line coach [autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag], and the rest of the Auburn coaching staff may have found a candidate in former Penn defensive lineman [autotag]Joey Slackman[/autotag]. Slackman announced his offer from Auburn on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday morning. According to 247Sports, Slackman will also visit the Plains this weekend.

Slackman is one of the top available players that currently occupy the transfer portal. In 2023, he was Penn’s highest-graded defensive player with a 90.8 according to Pro Football Focus. He excelled in several categories, but run defense was his strong suit with a 92.8.

Slackman played in 417 snaps this season over 12 games. He created 18 total pressures this season with 11 quarterback hurries and five sacks.

In a recent interview with Brian Dohn of 247Sports ($), Slackman shared what he is looking for in a program.

“Most importantly, I want to come to a team where I can affect winning in a positive way and get on the field,” he said. “The football fit is the No. 1 thing for me. Obviously, academics are important to me so I am trying to find the best master’s degree I can get on top of football for when my career is over. Along with that, just trying to find the best place that can develop me as a player, and potentially be drafted after my collegiate career is over after this season. Those three things are the main components I am looking for in my new school.”

According to 247Sports, Slackman has already visited Florida and Wisconsin and will take three more visits, including the one to Auburn, before settling on a new home.

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Auburn offers former Florida defensive tackle Chris McClellan

He was a productive role player for Florida but is now in the transfer portal.

Auburn is looking to shore up its defensive line through the transfer portal and would love to add some experienced players. One of their latest targets is [autotag]Chris McClellan[/autotag], a former top-150 recruit who spent the past two seasons at Florida.

The Oklahoma native was a rotational piece for the Gators, making 46 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in 25 appearances. The Tigers extended him an offer on Thursday but they are far from his only offer. FSU, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arkansas and Mississippi State have also offered him.

[autotag]Jeremy Garrett[/autotag]’s defensive line needs some experienced contributors to help shore up the depth at McClellan would be a great fit. The 6-foot-3, 320-pounder can play multiple positions and has several seasons of eligibility remaining, an added bonus.

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