Overview
- Starting linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr. announced plans to enter the portal after a breakout 2025 season with 67 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two sacks, earning PFF First Team All-SEC honors.
- AL.com reports nine defensive players have declared intentions to transfer, including three starters, with roughly 22 Auburn players expected to enter when the portal opens on Jan. 2.
- Both starting outside cornerbacks, Jay Crawford and Kayin Lee, are expected to test the portal, though negotiations with Crawford have been reported and returns remain possible until entries are official.
- Cornerback depth is thin with only Rayshawn Pleasant, Blake Woodby and Donovan Starr on scholarship returners and no corners signed in the latest high school class, elevating secondary rebuild urgency.
- Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin remains on staff and new cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Van Dyke brings USF ties, with potential targets mentioned including defensive backs Fred Gaskin and Jarvis Lee as the Jan. 2–16 window approaches.