Tag: Philip Blidi

Pregame sights ahead of Auburn football’s season opener with Alabama A&M

Take a look at the best images from Tiger Walk ahead of the 2024 season opener!

The day we had long awaited was finally here. It is game day on the Plains!

Auburn football has gone through the traditional “Tiger Walk” and is warming up on the field ahead of the season opener with Alabama A&M. Players such as [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag], [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag], [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag], and [autotag]Eugene Asante[/autotag] return to the Plains for another season while [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag], [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag], [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag], and [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag] make their much-awaited debut in orange and blue uniforms.

Ahead of Saturday’s season opener, here’s a look at the best images from Tiger Walk before Auburn’s game with Alabama A&M.

Sophomore Keldric Faulk talks leadership at SEC Media Days

The Tigers’ defense is full of new faces, which gives the 6-6, 290-pound sophomore a unique opportunity to have his voice heard. 

Auburn defensive lineman [autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag] made history a few weeks ago after his coaches selected him to be one of Auburn’s representatives at SEC Media Day, the first-ever Auburn sophomore to earn such honor.

The second-year Tiger told media members the designation “means a lot…It shows that I’m becoming a leader on my team, and I’m leading the right way on my team.”

A sophomore becoming a leader on a squad as capable and talented as Auburn is a rare feat, but Faulk, who won’t graduate from his teenage years until this fall, has taken command of a defensive front full of new faces. Auburn head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] has taken notice,

“Keldric has just had an incredible voice that people listen to — because he’s wise for his age and his work ethic is incredible,” Freeze said.

That work ethic and wiseness has been imperative for Faulk to lead a defensive line filled with transfers and freshman. The current Tigers unofficial opening depth chart features just two incumbent Tigers in the top six of the defensive line rotation. Besides Faulk and senior tackle [autotag]Jayson Jones[/autotag], transfers [autotag]Isaiah Raikes[/autotag], [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag], [autotag]Trill Carter[/autotag], and [autotag]Gage Keys[/autotag] are all expected to soak up snaps up front on the Plains.

Despite the college football experience from the aforementioned quartet of big men, none have played a snap with the Tigers, giving the 6-6, 290-pound sophomore a unique opportunity to have his voice heard.

Faulk will not only try to build off an impressive freshman campaign in which he registered 36 tackles and a sack, but he’ll also look towards replicating the qualities of his former Tiger mentors from a season ago.

“Guys like Marcus Harris and Justin Rogers, those two guys, they showed me that being a leader is more than just showing people how to do stuff,” Faulk said. “It’s getting people to follow you in the right way.”

An Alabama native, Faulk’s leadership on the field will be put to the test as camp rolls on in early August before Auburn kicks off the season at the end of the month against Alabama A&M.

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Hugh Freeze breaks down Auburn’s most notable position battles ahead of season

Rotations will be key for the Tigers this season, and Freeze wants the best players possible to be involved.

Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers took the stage at SEC Media Days Thursday and one of the many topics up for discussion was position battles within the program.

The most notable battle, at least in the eyes of those outside of the program, is at wide receiver. The Tigers have a revamped wide receiver room which will feature three transfers, four true freshmen, and two returners. However, the most contested battle is on the other side of the line.

Freeze told reporters Thursday that the defensive line will feature a steady rotation this season.

“The most contested, we have six guys on defensive line you might say it’s contested, but I think we need to rotate all six of them,” Freeze said.

Auburn’s defensive line will be experienced as [autotag]Jayson Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag] returning with the additions of [autotag]Trill Carter[/autotag], [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag], [autotag]Isaiah Raikes[/autotag], and [autotag]Gage Keys[/autotag] joining the program from the transfer portal. Experience will not be an issue, but it will be up to Freeze and defensive line coach [autotag]Vontrell King-Williams[/autotag] to find the perfect combination to give the Tigers the best chance to succeed.

Another position group of concern is at safety, which was ravaged by the NFL draft. [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] is out, meaning Auburn will need to look to transfers and new faces to fill the role.

“I’d probably say safety. You are going to have Keionte (Scott) and Kayin (Lee) getting the bulk of reps at corner, but we really need (Antonio) Kite and (Jaylin) Crawford, Amon Lane (Ganus), some of these younger guys to get ready to play there,” Freeze said. “(Jerrin) Thompson is the vocal leader there, but we need other pieces to give us depth there.”

Freeze went on to mention that [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] will get the nod at quarterback and that the rotation of running backs will feature [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag], [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag], and [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag]. At receiver, Freeze calls for six receivers to step into the rotation. Freshmen [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] and [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag], as well as transfers [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag], look to be prime candidates to earn steady playing time at the position.

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College Sports Wire tabs Auburn football as a ‘transfer portal winner’

Hugh Freeze addressed several needs this spring, which puts the Tigers in great position to exceed last season’s win total.

Auburn football is looking to build off of its 6-7 campaign in 2023 and is off to a great start by filling several needs through the transfer portal.

Hugh Freeze and his staff are looking to enhance the production of its wide receivers and defensive linemen and landed several experienced pieces this spring to move forward. Auburn found success within the spring transfer portal haul, which has given them “winner” status from College Sports Wire.

College Sports Wire’s Matt Melton ranks Auburn’s transfer portal class as the third-best within the SEC, topping Ole Miss and Vanderbilt and falling short of Alabama and Florida. Melton says Auburn’s top acquisition is former Penn State wide receiver [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag].

Auburn landed their potential WR1 this fall in Lambert-Smith during the spring window, a player that had 1,721 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns across four seasons at Penn State. The Tigers also addressed the defensive line by adding a trio of players that could all potentially make an impact in 2024.

Auburn’s 2024 transfer portal class ranks No. 27 in 247Sports transfer portal rankings. In addition to Lambert-Smith, the Tigers raked in several talented transfers including [autotag]Philip Blidi [/autotag](Indiana), [autotag]Jerrin Thomas[/autotag] (Texas), and [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag] (Georgia State).

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Auburn football ‘seperates themselves’ with spring transfer portal additions

Auburn’s 2024 transfer portal haul continues to impress the national media, including The Athletic.

Auburn football filled needs by adding several key players during the spring transfer portal window. Most media outlets feel that Auburn took a giant step forward this spring by landing players such as former Indiana defensive lineman [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag] and former Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith to its roster, including Kennington Smith of The Athletic.

Smith released his SEC spring recap over the weekend, which features several interesting aspects such as projected wins, coaching changes, and notable returners. Near the end of his review, he added the SEC’s top five transfer portal winners, including Auburn.

Smith was impressed with two of Auburn’s defensive additions, but adding another talented wide receiver to the mix blew him away.

The Tigers added a few defensive players this spring to bolster the defensive front: Keyron Crawford (Arkansas State) and Isaiah Raikes (USC), but the biggest win was nabbing (KeAndre) Lambert-Smith, one of the most sought-after players in the spring window.

The Athletic joins CBS Sports by tabbing Auburn a ‘transfer portal winner.’ CBS Sports placed Auburn at No. 2 of its national rankings and issued them a “B-” grade.

Auburn ranks No. 28 in 247Sports’ 2024 transfer portal rankings. The Tigers have landed 14 transfers from the portal since the final whistle of the 2023 season. Lambert-Smith is the top transfer, followed by former Maryland tight end [autotag]Rico Walker[/autotag], former Mississippi State tackle [autotag]Percy Lewis[/autotag], and ex-Georgia State wide receiver [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag] following.

Auburn football’s spring transfer portal haul receives praise from CBS Sports

CBS Sports’ Clint Brewster is impressed with Auburn’s ability to fill key needs within the transfer portal this spring.

Auburn football quickly assessed its needs following the spring practice session by adding four key players to its roster.

On offense, the Tigers added another experienced receiver in [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] from Penn State to go along with Georgia State transfer [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag] and several key freshmen such as [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] and [autotag]Bryce Cain[/autotag].

Defensively, Auburn filled its front need with three defensive linemen: [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag], [autotag]Keyron Crawford[/autotag], and [autotag]Isaiah Raikes[/autotag]. Auburn added several defensive backs, wide receivers, and offensive linemen during the winter window in hopes of enhancing its six-win campaign from last season.

Following the closure of the spring transfer portal window on April 30, Clint Brewster of CBS Sports graded several top programs’ transfer portal moves. The Tigers’ ability to fill important needs impressed Brewster, who placed the Tigers at No. 2 with a B- grade.

The Tigers addressed the defensive line in the transfer portal with Philip Blidi (No. 291) and Isaiah Raikes (No. 679). Their rankings won’t “wow” you but they’re high three-star guys who project as solid contributors. Auburn also added a deep threat on the offensive side with receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith (No. 68), who had 12 plays of 15 yards or more last season at Penn State. At offensive tackle, Percy Lewis (No. 194) could be a starter after a strong spring.

Alabama was the lone program to top Auburn in Brewster’s rankings. Florida, Florida State, and LSU join Auburn by rounding out the top five.

Auburn reaches out to former South Alabama linebacker Khalil Jacobs

Jacobs made 56 tackles with eight for loss last season at South Alabama.

One of South Alabama’s top defensive players entered the transfer portal on Friday, and Auburn was quick to reach out.

After dipping into the transfer portal in January, South Alabama linebacker [autotag]Khalil Jacobs[/autotag] entered the portal for the second time this week and has quickly garnered the attention of several top programs including Auburn. He tells Pete Nakos of On3 that Alabama, Duke, Indiana, Missouri, NC State, and Tulane have contacted him in addition to Auburn.

Jacobs finished fifth in tackles last season on South Alabama’s defense with 56 tackles, he also ranked second in sacks (3.0), and third in tackles for loss (8.5).

Jacobs could provide Auburn with another pass rush weapon, as he graded 74.9 in pass rush last season according to Pro Football Focus, which was second-highest among South Alabama defenders. He created 17 total quarterback pressures last season with nine hurries and five quarterback hits.

Auburn has enjoyed success by landing three key defensive players from the transfer portal. Former Indiana DL [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag], former Arkansas State EDGE [autotag]Keyron Crawford[/autotag], and former Texas A&M DL [autotag]Isaiah Raikes[/autotag] all joined Auburn’s roster last week.

Auburn transfer Philip Blidi among college football’s ‘best transfer fits’

Blidi will be given the task of replacing Marcus Harris on the Auburn defensive line.

Auburn football has worked diligently to fill needs along its defensive line for the 2024 season and has landed a solid addition in [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag].

Blidi joins Auburn’s roster after making 30 tackles last season at Indiana. Auburn will need to replace outgoing star [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] on the front, and Blidi will look to develop into a solid contributor to the Tigers’ defense.

The spring transfer portal window remains open through the end of this month, but CBS Sports is already calling the Blidi-Auburn connection one of the best “fits.”

Will Backus of CBS Sports has listed the six best fits within the transfer portal, including Blidi’s commitment to Auburn.

Defensive tackle is a huge position of need for a lot of hopeful contenders in the spring window, so props to Auburn for going out and getting one of the best before another program could swoop in. The Tigers are looking to replace All-SEC performer Marcus Harris and — while Blidi isn’t a ready-made successor — he’ll certainly help in that regard. Blidi spent the first three years of his career at Texas Tech before transferring to Indiana in 2023 and emerging as a starter. He graded out as one of the Hoosiers’ best run-stuffers while tallying 30 tackles and four tackles for loss from the interior.

Auburn has added two more defensive linemen from the transfer portal, [autotag]Isaiah Raikes[/autotag] and [autotag]Keyron Crawford[/autotag]. The Tigers are looking to add more defensive aid and another wide receiver to its spring transfer haul.

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Former Texas A&M, USC DL Isaiah Raikes commits to Auburn

Auburn lands its second defensive line transfer in as many days by earning a commitment from Isaiah Raikes.

Auburn football has hit the transfer portal jackpot by securing two defensive line transfers in as many days.

One day after former Indiana defensive lineman [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag] announced his intent to transfer to the Plains, former Texas A&M defensive lineman [autotag]Isaiah Raikes[/autotag] followed suit. Raikes, who spent four seasons at Texas A&M before joining USC‘s roster for a short stint, announced his commitment to Auburn on Monday.

Raikes spent four seasons in College Station, where he totaled 43 stops with 4.3 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 29 total games. The 2023 season was his best, slightly edging his junior season performance in 2022. Last season, Raikes made 17 stops with three tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass deflection. Raikes finished the season as Texas A&M’s No. 7 defensive player according to Pro Football Focus with a 72.3 grade.

Following his stay at Texas A&M, Raikes elected to transfer to USC after the 2023 season. He went through spring practice in Los Angeles but decided to weigh his options again during the spring window, where he ultimately chose Auburn.

Raikes measures 6-1 and weighs 320 pounds, and will play a great role in closing gaps, which will allow players such as Keldric Faulk and Jalen McLeod to earn more tackle opportunities.

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LSU defensive tackle transfer target commits to Auburn

LSU missed on a defensive tackle transfer prospect.

LSU came up short in landing one of its top transfer defensive tackle targets as [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag] committed to Auburn.

Blidi began his career at Texas Tech before transferring to Indiana. He hit the portal again after a year with the Hoosiers, this time garnering SEC interest.

According to On3’s Shea Dixon, Auburn made an impression on Blidi, and the buzz around his recruitment signaled Auburn following Blidi’s visit to the Plains.

Per PFF, Blidi was the 15th-best graded defensive tackle in the Big Ten last year while totaling 15 pressures and 11 run stops.

LSU needs to beef up its defensive tackle group and remains in pursuit of some of the portal’s top players, including DTs [autotag]Simeon Barrow Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag].

Blidi bolsters an already solid Auburn transfer class that ranks 10th in the country, according to On3.

LSU remains well positioned with the seventh-ranked transfer class, but Blidi is a loss given the Tigers’ need at his position.

Brian Kelly said defensive tackle is the only position LSU is after in the spring portal window. [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Lee[/autotag] are the only two scholarship defensive tackles on the roster who saw time for LSU last year.

Despite the lack of numbers, Kelly feels good about where the position is headed with defensive line coach [autotag]Bo Davis[/autotag] leading the way.

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