Football News: 2-10-2026
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Dudley Dent
Feb 10, 2026, 8:12:18 AM (4 days ago) Feb 10
to Tiger Tracks
Auburn Football News: 2-10-2026
What will Auburn LB Xavier Atkins do for an encore to All-American season?:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-football-xavier-atkins-all-american-tigers-dj-durkin-273731206/
How will Auburn utilize Byrum Brown as a runner in 2026?:
https://www.al.com/auburnfootball/2026/02/how-will-auburn-utilize-byrum-brown-as-a-runner-in-2026.html
Auburn football coach Alex Golesh's pitch to 2027 class? 'Get us back':
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/auburn-football-coach-alex-goleshs-182452253.html
Auburn Football 2026 Schedule Outlook and Analysis:
https://collegefootballnews.com/college-football/auburn-football-2026-schedule-breakdown
Former Auburn standout after Super Bowl: ‘Mom, this moment is for you’:
https://www.al.com/sports/2026/02/former-auburn-standout-after-super-bowl-mom-this-moment-is-for-you.html
A win for the good guys: Derick Hall, Dylan Cardwell deserve everything they've won:
https://flywareagle.com/a-win-for-the-good-guys-derick-hall-dylan-cardwell-deserve-everything-they-ve-won-01kh26g4pj1p
Former Auburn cornerback on the other side of Super Bowl emotions this time:
https://www.al.com/sports/2026/02/former-auburn-cornerback-on-the-other-side-of-super-bowl-emotions-this-time.html
Who’ll cash in as an NFL free agent this offseason?:
https://www.al.com/sports/2026/02/wholl-cash-in-as-an-nfl-free-agent-this-offseason.html
Where Auburn DE Keldric Faulk is Predicted to Land After Falling in CBS Sports' Latest Mock Draft:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/football/where-auburn-de-keldric-faulk-is-predicted-to-land-after-falling-in-cbs-sports-latest-mock-draft-01kh1q9js257
What will Auburn LB Xavier Atkins do for an encore to All-American season?
By Nathan King
A returning All-American is quite a luxury in college football.
Rarely do teams get to have a player back in the fold after such a standout season. For Auburn, linebacker Xavier Atkins will be the team's first player to be back with the team after an All-American campaign since punter Steven Clark played two more seasons with the program after taking home All-American honors in 2011. He's the first returning All-American on defense since linebacker Takeo Spikes in 1997.
Atkins, who exploded onto the scene as a redshirt freshman transfer from LSU last season, is unquestionably the centerpiece of Auburn's defense heading into 2026. Getting him back on coordinator DJ Durkin's unit was paramount for Auburn's new staff early in the offseason. What's most exciting to Durkin, though, is that such a young player still has a lot of room to grow.
"Even a player like Xavier Atkins, who had amazing production and a lot of numbers, there's so many things he can do better at this game," Durkin said last week. "We sat down and met with him. I think the great part is that he's very open to realizing those, as well."
The LSU transfer was an under-the-radar addition last offseason but quickly became Auburn's most productive defensive player. His 17 tackles for loss led the SEC and are the most in Auburn history by an inside linebacker. Atkins was also fourth in the conference in tackles and forced two fumbles.
The Houston-area native was named a second team All-American by Walter Camp. On Dec. 17, Atkins announced his return to the program, after the coaching change from Hugh Freeze to Alex Golesh.
Golesh's decision to retain Durkin, who has a long-standing relationship with Atkins going back to his time recruiting him as Texas A&M's defensive coordinator, figures to have been an important move.
"It was really fun for me to see," Durkin said. "I was part of Xavier's life at a younger age when he was in high school and recruiting him, getting to know him and his situation. So to then see it through, I thought at one point we were going to be together coming out of high school. Things happened that did happen, but to get him here now and to be a part of that with him, to see him play at that level, it's been tremendous. And like I said, I think he has a lot of room for improvement in his game. I think he's got a lot of ways to get better."
Atkins leads an Auburn linebacking corps that could very well be the best unit on the roster. SEC All-Freshman selection Elijah Melendez is back, along with ultra-athletic youngster Bryce Deas. Rising junior Demarcus Riddick will also be back, and is hoped to play a larger role after he was limited by a shoulder issue.
Of course, Atkins didn't do it all himself as a disruptive player in the front seven last season. The gravity of someone like Keldric Faulk was crucial, and with a lot of turnover along the defensive line, Durkin will be counting on returning sophomores Malik Autry and Jourdin Crawford to step up.
The Tigers were able to get sixth-year senior nose tackle Dallas Walker IV back, along with transfer pickups along the D-line, but Durkin is clearly excited about continuing to develop Autry and Crawford, who were highly rated signees in 2025.
"We have really, really high expectations for those guys this year and moving forward," Durkin said. "So to have them all return, still be here with us and be in that next year development is critical. I believe the thing that is so missed and lost in college football right now is the development. The way you get better at anything in life is to do something consistently over and over again. When these guys bounce around from year to year, different coaches, different systems, different drills that you're working on, it's really hard to continue to develop at the rate you should.
"Those guys in particular, we're expecting great things from them."
Auburn begins spring practice March 17.
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How will Auburn utilize Byrum Brown as a runner in 2026?
By Peter Rauterkus
al.com
Of the 11 former USF offensive players that Auburn signed this offseason, none were more important than Byrum Brown.
He was the Bulls’ starting quarterback for all three years under Alex Golesh and will now play the same role for the staff’s first season at Auburn. Not only does he bring familiarity in the offense, Brown was one of the most productive quarterbacks in the country this past season.
Brown led the country in total yards per game in 2025 and was the only quarterback to throw for over 3,000 yards and rush for over 1,000. His legs were a big part of USF’s potent offense, as he led the team in carries with 175.
That’s 77 more carries than the next leading rusher, now Auburn running back Nykahi Davenport. At 6-foot-3 and 231 pounds, Brown has the build to take on that many carries and take hits, but he’ll face a new level of physicality and athleticism in the SEC.
That’s a reality offensive coordinator Joel Gordon is already thinking about, and said Auburn will keep that in mind with its play calling in 2026.
"Byrum Brown, whatever offense he’s in, you’d be silly not to use him and all the tools that he has. He’s easily the best running quarterback that I’ve ever seen," Gordon said. “A lot of the things that we do in our offense, man, if you take away this option and this option, all of a sudden he’s got the ball, and that’s part of everyday offense for us.
“And what he can do on his feet, scrambling and extending plays that way, man, we’re going to use those tools however we can. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to keep him healthy to the best of our ability and use him timely and not get him worn down.”
Auburn signed a deep running back class to take some of the pressure off of Brown. With Jeremiah Cobb already coming back, Auburn brought in three more running backs who rushed for over 600 yards in 2025.
Davenport played with Brown at USF and the Tigers also added former Baylor feature back Bryson Washington and former Troy running back Tae Meadows.
Each of those three, along with Cobb, will give Auburn options, meaning Brown won’t have to be the primary rusher. His USF numbers suggest he’s capable of doing so, but to keep him upright for 12 games, leaning on the retooled running back room isn’t a bad idea.
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Auburn football coach Alex Golesh's pitch to 2027 class? 'Get us back'
By Adam Cole
Montgomery Advertiser
Alex Golesh has been off and running since becoming Auburn football's head coach in December, especially so on the recruiting trail.
After piecing together the Tigers' 2026 class in his first couple days on the job, Golesh said he and his staff have been getting a jump start on the 2027 cycle, though Auburn's having to play catch-up with its latest signing class. Auburn has just one commit in the 2027 class, tied with three other SEC squads for the fewest in the league.
"We were able to get out and see a ton of ’27s in this region, some nationally," Golesh said, "and get into some fights that I didn't know we could get into, but we have."
While Auburn's positioning with some of the nation's best prospects may have surprised Golesh, he's selling something clear-cut, and it's a pitch akin to what his predecessor, Hugh Freeze, worked with in signing back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes.
"The message has been really, really simple," Golesh said. "This is one of the most historic, blueblood programs in the history of college football. You can be the reason to get us back."
Golesh has said his staff's priority on the recruiting trail will be the 250-mile radius surrounding Auburn. That includes seven states, with virtually all of Georgia, about half of Mississippi, the Florida panhandle, slivers of both Carolinas and Tennessee, as well as Alabama. In their entirety, those states account for nearly 150 blue-chip prospects based on 247Sports' composite ratings. Nearly 100 of those, 95, are top-250 players nationally, and there's a dozen five-star prospects within those state lines.
It's a region Golesh's staff is already largely familiar with, he said, which has helped make swift inroads.
"Very few, it's the first time you're having conversations with those kids," Golesh said.
To Golesh, what is vital moving forward is actually getting recruits on campus. The program's already hosted a pair of Junior Day events since Golesh arrived, which he believes has helped as much as his staff's familiarity with the region.
"Young men still crave a relationship, still crave a level of accountability, still crave development," Golesh said. "And there's something about playing in front of 88,000 every week and being in a place like Auburn where football is really important. ... We've tried to fast-track a lot of it, but a huge part of it is getting these kids on campus here before the dead period so they can get around us and get around our staff. "
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Auburn Football 2026 Schedule Outlook and Analysis
By Pete Fiutak
Yahoo Sports
Anyone who thinks schedules aren't everything didn't pay attention to Auburn last season.
The Tigers only won one SEC game, and there was an unforgivable loss to Kentucky, but the other six losses were to the strongest teams, including four College Football Playoff teams.
It's a little bit easier this year for new head coach Alex Golesh to deal with in his first season. Here's our 2026 Auburn schedule breakdown.
The Good, the Bad, and Who Auburn Misses in 2026
The Good
The opener against Baylor is in Atlanta - that will be like a home game - and the next three games are in Jordan-Hare.
There aren't two home games in a row the rest of the way, but the team only leaves Alabama once in November.
The Bad
The five true road games aren't easy. Going to Mississippi State isn't going to be a breeze in mid-November - the Bulldog offense should be humming by then - and the other four are a bear.
At Tennessee is the easiest of the four, with Georgia, Ole Miss, and Alabama still to go.
What SEC Teams Auburn Will Miss
Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Texas A&M.
The Tigers miss two of the SEC's College Football Playoff teams from last season - Oklahoma and Texas A&M - and not playing Texas this season is massive.
Kentucky and South Carolina will be better, and Missouri will be dangerous. It would've been nice to miss a few more big teams, but not playing those three isn't bad.
Auburn’s Best and Worst Case Scenarios in 2026
Best Case: The Tigers win September
The last time Auburn started the season 4-0 was ... 2019. Before that, it was 2014.
This season, the Alex Golesh era gets rolling with a win over Baylor. Southern Miss isn't a problem, beating Florida in the SEC opener is great, and keeping it all going against Vanderbilt is strong.
Realistically, it'll be tough to roll through the next four games, but there are two wins of the four - more on that next - and then comes a big run in November, including the first win over Alabama since 2019.
Worst Case: October is a disaster
Losing to Florida in September is bad, but, realistically, Auburn will at least split the dates with the Gators and Vanderbilt. And then ...
At Tennessee, at Georgia, LSU, at Ole Miss - the Tigers go 0-for-October.
Mississippi State comes up with a big performance at home in a mid-November win, and once again, Auburn goes 5-7 with a loss to Alabama.
Auburn Football 2026 Schedule
Sept 5 Baylor (in Atlanta)
Sept 12 Southern Miss
Sept 19 Florida
Sept 26 Vanderbilt
Oct 3 at Tennessee
Oct 10 OPEN DATE
Oct 17 at Georgia
Oct 24 LSU
Oct 31 at Ole Miss
Nov 7 Arkansas
Nov 14 at Mississippi State
Nov 21 Samford
Nov 28 at Alabama
Games That Will Decide Auburn’s Season
1. LSU, Oct. 24
Of course there are a few bigger games, but this is the home oasis from the end of September to November 7th vs Arkansas. That, and beating Lane Kiffin, would do wonders for the morale.
2. at Alabama, Nov. 28
If you have to ask why ...
The Tigers haven't won in Tuscaloosa since their 2010 national championship season.
3. Florida, Sept. 19
No one's expecting anything massive right away, but winning the SEC opener for the first time since 2022 would be a big lift-off moment. It might be a must to go bowling.
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Former Auburn standout after Super Bowl: ‘Mom, this moment is for you’
By Mark Inabinett
al.com
Derick Hall got an early start on life. Too early.
“Speaking as a guy from Mississippi who had a 1 percent chance to live -- and it’s even less than that – to be able to hoist that Lombardi Trophy on this special night is special,” Hall said after helping the Seattle Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX on Sunday night.
When Hall was born in Gulfport, Mississippi, on March 19, 2001, the future Auburn linebacker was four months premature and weighed 2 pounds, 9 ounces – about 251 fewer pounds than he carries today. He spent nearly the first five months of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Memorial Hospital Gulfport.
“Obviously, everybody knows my story and what it took for me to get here,” Hall said. “What it took me just to be alive and have a chance. And, man, all glory to God. I’m very blessed.
“Kudos to Moms, man. That was a special moment after the game hugging my Mama, loving on her and sharing that moment with her. I feel like she’s the unsung hero, the unsung warrior through this whole process, and the love and compassion and she’s always fought for me. She never gave up in that piece, man. …
“Mom just walked up, patted me on my shoulder, hugged me, started crying, talking about she’s so happy, she’s so joyful, and I just immediately reiterated, ‘Mom, this moment is for you.’ Everything it took to get here, and I wouldn’t rather share that moment with anybody else.”
Hall figures without his mother, Stacy Gooden-Crandle, in his corner, he wouldn’t have made it.
“I got to shout out Mom,” Hall said on Sunday night. “Mom doesn’t miss a game from the time I started playing flag football, like, forward to now. My mom has been at every single game, and I feel like that’s huge. Just having that, knowing someone’s there to cheer you on, to be there in the stands for you is special.
“And we’re big in our faith in my family, and leading up to this game, just having mom being there, praying for me right before the game, you know, just doing what we do and be able to go out and win this, man, it’s special.”
Hall also gave credit to the sport in helping an asthmatic child already behind the eight-ball become a “normal kid” before becoming a Super Bowl champion.
“This is what every kid dreams about,” Hall said. “But a little bit towards that, you know, I started playing the game to just be able to get my lung capacity up and just be able to run around a little bit, and I fell in love with the game. It allowed me to be a normal kid. I would always sit and watch other kids outside running around, and I wasn’t able to do those things. So, man, that’s really where it kicked off for me. That’s what this game, you know, led to my love and ultimately to this moment …
“And then just being able to play football, man, and what this game has done for me in my life and for my family is -- I’ll never be able to repay this game, man. You always love and respect it, and I feel like I show that every single time I step on the field.”
Hall entered Super Bowl LX with two sacks in 16 games this season. He registered two sacks of New England quarterback Drake Maye while playing 35 of Seattle’s 71 defensive snaps on Sunday.
“It’s been a little crazy year for me,” Hall said. “Obviously, the pressures and the hits have been there, but no sacks. And, man, what a more rewarding time to be blessed and have the opportunity to go out in this game and help lead this team to success tonight. So I really can’t put it into words. I’m blessed, I’m honored and all glory to God in that.”
After the Seahawks ended the game’s first possession with a field goal, Hall derailed New England’s first series by sacking Maye for a 10-yard loss on a first-and-10 snap from the Seattle 45-yard line with 8:51 left in the first quarter. The Patriots punted to end that possession and their next seven series.
Hall knocked the football away from Maye on his second sack with 10 seconds left in the third quarter. Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy recovered the loose football at the New England 37-yard line.
Five snaps later, Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold completed a 16-yard pass to tight end AJ Barner for the game’s first touchdown as the Seahawks took a 19-0 lead with 13:24 to play.
“I’m incredibly happy for him,” Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said. “He’s played great football for us all year. Just plays the right way, man. Just plays so violently, relentlessly. I mean, even like the sack was on a counter, you know? And then got the ball out, which was something we needed to do to win the game.”
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A win for the good guys: Derick Hall, Dylan Cardwell deserve everything they've won
By Brian Stultz
It’s inevitable when you are on the beat of a sports team that you will learn who your favorites are, despite how professional or unbiased you are. It’s human nature to like some people more than others, and when you get to know someone over one or multiple years, their true self shows itself.
When I covered Washington State, Gardner Minshew was always a great source for quotes. At Auburn, it was always entertaining to talk to certain student-athletes. Zep Jasper comes to mind. So do many of the 2022 Auburn baseball team that made it to Omaha. Keionte Scott was always nice, and his success this year at Miami made me smile more than it should have.
However, if you ask the majority of the media who have covered Auburn over the past five or six years, two names will almost certainly be at the top of the list: Derick Hall and Dylan Cardwell.
Those two just completed arguably the best moments of their lives. And, as Auburn fans know, their love for Auburn is returned in every single way.
Derick Hall wins first Super Bowl ring
Everyone knows the story about Hall’s birth, in which he was born dead, doctors gave him very little chance to live, and then, 20 years later, he became an All-SEC performer and second-round pick in the NFL draft. On Sunday, in the biggest game of his life in Super Bowl LX, Hall showed why no one – doctors, opponents, coaches, fans – should ever doubt him, recording two sacks, two tackles for a loss and a forced fumble as the Seattle Seahawks made life miserable for the New England Patriots and quarterback Drake Maye.
In a score that looked closer than the actual game, Hall walked out of Levi’s Stadium with a Super Bowl ring.
Leave Santa Clara and travel 120 miles or so northeast in California, and you will find the best story in the NBA this season. Dylan Cardwell was a lot of things at Auburn, including a fan favorite, jokester, and first to take his shirt off in the stands at Jordan-Hare Stadium (Hall would follow suit at basketball games), but there were not many that he would be doing what he’s currently doing for the Sacramento Kings.
After five seasons at Auburn, in which he got better every season, Cardwell went undrafted but was picked up by the Kings in a two-way contract. Many players who sign those take time to make a difference in the NBA. That’s not Cardwell’s way.
The big man has played so well and, of course, become a fan favorite in Sacramento so quickly that he was put on a full contract last Thursday. The details of the contract pay him a guaranteed $870,000 this season and $2.15 million next year. That’s life-changing money for Cardwell, who has worked his way from role player to scoring a double-double for the Kings last week.
Hall and Cardwell will always be welcome back at Auburn, and I’m certain that they will return and pay back to the university that gave them so much. I joked with Cardwell that he would one day become the university president, but I wasn’t fully joking. These two guys make a difference on the floor, sure, but it’s the impact they have off of it that made them so popular on the Plains.
After his last collegiate game, Hall came into the press room and did something that rarely happens: he thanked the media for all of the coverage they had given him during his time at Auburn. It was a heartfelt speech that meant as much to us as it did to him. Cardwell basically did the same after the tough Final Four loss to Florida last April, expressing his appreciation for us, the media.
In a world where it seems bad people continue to build up victories, it’s nice to see two of the nicest get their due.
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Former Auburn cornerback on the other side of Super Bowl emotions this time
By Mark Inabinett
al.com
Cornerback Carlton Davis knew how it felt to win the Super Bowl. Now he knows how it feels to lose the Super Bowl.
The former Auburn cornerback started in Tampa Bay’s secondary in the Buccaneers’ 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7, 2021. But on Sunday, Davis was at cornerback for the New England Patriots in a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
“I mean, it hurt, it hurt, it hurt,” Davis said. “And we’ll be better. We lost as a team. And, you know, it is what it is.”
Davis joined the Patriots as a free agent in the offseason on a three-year, $54 million contract. He was part of a roster overhaul under new coach Mike Vrabel that lifted New England from four victories in the 2024 season to 17 wins (including the playoffs) in the 2025 campaign.
“Obviously, we didn’t get the job done,” Davis said. “It (expletive) stings. It’s never going to not sting. But we got a bright future, man. We got a lot of great young players coming in and taking the league by storm in the first year having a new coaching staff and a lot of new free agents, something that’s really unheard of. So they heard it, but I got a feeling we’ll be back.”
Davis’ two Super Bowl appearances were similar.
In the Bucs’ victory, Davis played 73 of Tampa Bay’s 75 defensive snaps. He made five tackles – four on defense and one on special teams. Davis’ team got outgained by 10 yards, and the winning side had a 2-0 turnover advantage.
In the Patriots’ loss, Davis played 68 of New England’s 72 defensive snaps. He made six tackles. Davis’ team got outgained by 4 yards, and the winning side had a 3-0 turnover advantage.
“I think we’ll use it as motivation,” Davis said after Sunday’s defeat, “and we’ll move forward. And I feel like we’ll be back.”
New England can be more selective in its team construction this offseason, with only six players set to become unrestricted free agents in March.
“I mean, every year it’s a new team,” Davis said. “Hopefully, we can retain a lot of the core guys, and I really feel like we already got a lot of guys under the contract, and I’m pretty sure the front office and our coaches are making those decisions moving forward for next year.”
Since entering the NFL as a second-round selection in the 2018 draft, Davis has played in 106 regular-season and 13 playoff games. His teams have 65 regular-season and nine postseason victories.
On Sunday, Davis was trying to become the sixth Auburn alumnus to play in two Super Bowl victories. Steve Wallace played in three of the San Francisco 49ers’ Super Bowl wins, and Mike Kolen, Brandon Jacobs, Jonathan Jones and Brandon King played in two Super Bowl victories apiece.
“Hell, yeah, I mean, we’re really optimistic,” Davis said about getting another Super Bowl opportunity with the Patriots. “Obviously, right now, it stings. So, yeah, that’s the mood. But looking forward, we know that this is our first year and that we accomplished a lot. But, obviously, we want to win it all.”
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Who’ll cash in as an NFL free agent this offseason?
By Mark Inabinett
al.com
A former backup quarterback at Auburn, Malik Willis has been paid $6.996 million in the first four seasons of his NFL career. But after playing 22 games and starting six in that span, Willis can expect a pay upgrade in 2026. The sports financial website estimates Willis’ next contract to be worth $71.075 million over two seasons.
The Green Bay Packers backup quarterback is among the NFL players headed toward unrestricted free agency in March who could cash in in a big way.
The Seattle Seahawks’ 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Sunday night ended the NFL’s 2025 season, leaving all 32 teams able to turn their full attention to preparing for the 2026 campaign.
That team building will include free agency, which starts with the NFL’s 2026 business year on March 11.
Any NFL player with at least four seasons of experience and an expiring contract will become an unrestricted free agent at 3 p.m. CDT March 11 if he doesn’t sign a contract extension or his team doesn’t use its franchise tag on him before then.
The players headed toward unrestricted free agency at that time could include 35 from Alabama high schools and colleges.
The players from Alabama high schools and colleges on NFL active rosters or reserve lists at the end of the 2025 regular season who are eligible to become unrestricted free agents at 3 p.m. March 11 include (listed with their current team):
Indianapolis Colts running back Ameer Abdullah, Homewood
Tennessee Titans cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Alabama
Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship, West Limestone
Miami Dolphins linebacker K.J. Britt, Oxford, Auburn
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson, Auburn
Detroit Lions linebacker Zach Cunningham, Pinson Valley
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean, Auburn
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Jack Driscoll, Auburn
New York Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, Saraland
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford, Alabama
Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, Alabama
Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris, Alabama
Los Angeles Chargers long snapper Josh Harris, Auburn
Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris, Alabama
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Ronnie Harrison, Alabama
Washington Commanders cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, Hewitt-Trussville, Auburn
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe, Alabama
Washington Commanders cornerback Jonathan Jones, Auburn
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Roger McCreary, Williamson, Auburn
New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal, Alabama
New York Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Central-Phenix City
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens, Hoover
San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr., Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Cam Robinson, Alabama
Washington Commanders offensive tackle Trent Scott, Lee-Huntsville
Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith, Auburn
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, Park Crossing
Detroit Lions safety Daniel Thomas, Lee-Montgomery, Auburn
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, McGill-Toolen, South Alabama
Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward, Davidson
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Jonah Williams, Alabama
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams, Wenonah
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams, Lee-Montgomery
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis, Auburn
While Willis seems to be headed for a significant pay raise, the player with Alabama football roots predicted to sign the biggest contract in free agency is Pickens, with a projected four-year, $122.425 million deal.
Pickens will need to get to free agency first, though. Reports this weekend indicated the Cowboys plan to use their franchise tag on the wide receiver to keep Pickens from reaching the open market.
Dean, Flott and Smith also are expected to be in high demand and command contracts worth more than $30 million if they reach free agency in March.
Seven other NFL players from Alabama high schools and colleges are eligible to become restricted free agents on March 11:
Cleveland Browns linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, Auburn High
Seattle Seahawks safety AJ Finley, St. Paul’s Episcopal
New York Jets wide receiver John Metchie III, Alabama
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon, Hoover
Carolina Panthers defensive lineman LaBryan Ray, James Clemens, Alabama
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V, Ramsay, UAB
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman, South Alabama
A restricted free agent is a player with three NFL seasons and an expiring contract. Like unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents can negotiate with any interested teams, but their original teams can tender restricted free agents with qualifying offers from four tiers. All the tenders give the original teams the ability to match any contract offer before losing a player and some carry draft-pick compensation if a player signs elsewhere.
Yet another type of NFL free agent is the exclusive-rights free agent. An ERFA is a player with fewer than three seasons and an expiring contract. If his original team offers the ERFA a contract, the player cannot negotiate with other teams.
The NFL’s pending exclusive-rights free agents include two with Alabama football roots:
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Reddy Steward, Austin, Troy
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal, Troy
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Where Auburn DE Keldric Faulk is Predicted to Land After Falling in CBS Sports' Latest Mock Draft
By Brooks Crew
Despite a dominant stretch of seasons with the Auburn Tigers, defensive end Keldric Faulk has fallen one notable mock draft for this year’s NFL Draft. The junior, who posted 23 solo tackles and two sacks throughout his third season with the Tigers, fell in CBS Sports’ mock draft from the 12th spot to the 15th spot in the wake of the Senior Bowl.
Notably, Faulk, the youngest player in this year’s draft at 20 years old, did not participate in the Senior Bowl on account of his early entrance in the draft, a decision that shook up many rankings.
While he fell, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson still had high praise for the former Tiger.
“First, Faulk just turned 20 in September,” Wilson wrote. “Second, he's unofficially 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds, and he is already near-elite as a run defender. The power and athleticism with which he plays make it an easy projection to see him as a dominant pass rusher down the road. Maybe it doesn't happen until, say, Year 2 in the league, but when it all comes together, it's going to be scary.”
In the 12th spot, where CBS Sports’ Josh Wilson had Faulk landing back in late January, Faulk would head to Dallas, while Ryan Wilson has a post-Senior Bowl Faulk headed to Tampa Bay to play for the Buccaneers.
Faulk was a key part of multiple high-level Auburn defenses throughout his career, posting a total of 110 tackles, 74 solo tackles, 10 sacks and a forced fumble over three seasons with the Tigers. This has earned him CBS Sports’ 13th overall prospect ranking, as well as the second overall at his position.
Faulk’s best season with the Tigers was back in 2024, his sophomore season, in which he posted an impressive 45 tackles, 30 solo tackles, seven sacks and a forced fumble. He has been projected to land as high as the ninth overall pick, which falls to the Kansas City Chiefs this year, but he has also been projected to land as low as the 20th pick, to the Cowboys once again.
This year’s NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pa., and will be the beginning of perhaps the most notable Auburn defensive career since Derrick Brown made headlines as a first-rounder to the Panthers in 2020.
What will Auburn LB Xavier Atkins do for an encore to All-American season?:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-football-xavier-atkins-all-american-tigers-dj-durkin-273731206/
How will Auburn utilize Byrum Brown as a runner in 2026?:
https://www.al.com/auburnfootball/2026/02/how-will-auburn-utilize-byrum-brown-as-a-runner-in-2026.html
Auburn football coach Alex Golesh's pitch to 2027 class? 'Get us back':
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/auburn-football-coach-alex-goleshs-182452253.html
Auburn Football 2026 Schedule Outlook and Analysis:
https://collegefootballnews.com/college-football/auburn-football-2026-schedule-breakdown
Former Auburn standout after Super Bowl: ‘Mom, this moment is for you’:
https://www.al.com/sports/2026/02/former-auburn-standout-after-super-bowl-mom-this-moment-is-for-you.html
A win for the good guys: Derick Hall, Dylan Cardwell deserve everything they've won:
https://flywareagle.com/a-win-for-the-good-guys-derick-hall-dylan-cardwell-deserve-everything-they-ve-won-01kh26g4pj1p
Former Auburn cornerback on the other side of Super Bowl emotions this time:
https://www.al.com/sports/2026/02/former-auburn-cornerback-on-the-other-side-of-super-bowl-emotions-this-time.html
Who’ll cash in as an NFL free agent this offseason?:
https://www.al.com/sports/2026/02/wholl-cash-in-as-an-nfl-free-agent-this-offseason.html
Where Auburn DE Keldric Faulk is Predicted to Land After Falling in CBS Sports' Latest Mock Draft:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/football/where-auburn-de-keldric-faulk-is-predicted-to-land-after-falling-in-cbs-sports-latest-mock-draft-01kh1q9js257
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By Nathan King
A returning All-American is quite a luxury in college football.
Rarely do teams get to have a player back in the fold after such a standout season. For Auburn, linebacker Xavier Atkins will be the team's first player to be back with the team after an All-American campaign since punter Steven Clark played two more seasons with the program after taking home All-American honors in 2011. He's the first returning All-American on defense since linebacker Takeo Spikes in 1997.
Atkins, who exploded onto the scene as a redshirt freshman transfer from LSU last season, is unquestionably the centerpiece of Auburn's defense heading into 2026. Getting him back on coordinator DJ Durkin's unit was paramount for Auburn's new staff early in the offseason. What's most exciting to Durkin, though, is that such a young player still has a lot of room to grow.
"Even a player like Xavier Atkins, who had amazing production and a lot of numbers, there's so many things he can do better at this game," Durkin said last week. "We sat down and met with him. I think the great part is that he's very open to realizing those, as well."
The LSU transfer was an under-the-radar addition last offseason but quickly became Auburn's most productive defensive player. His 17 tackles for loss led the SEC and are the most in Auburn history by an inside linebacker. Atkins was also fourth in the conference in tackles and forced two fumbles.
The Houston-area native was named a second team All-American by Walter Camp. On Dec. 17, Atkins announced his return to the program, after the coaching change from Hugh Freeze to Alex Golesh.
Golesh's decision to retain Durkin, who has a long-standing relationship with Atkins going back to his time recruiting him as Texas A&M's defensive coordinator, figures to have been an important move.
"It was really fun for me to see," Durkin said. "I was part of Xavier's life at a younger age when he was in high school and recruiting him, getting to know him and his situation. So to then see it through, I thought at one point we were going to be together coming out of high school. Things happened that did happen, but to get him here now and to be a part of that with him, to see him play at that level, it's been tremendous. And like I said, I think he has a lot of room for improvement in his game. I think he's got a lot of ways to get better."
Atkins leads an Auburn linebacking corps that could very well be the best unit on the roster. SEC All-Freshman selection Elijah Melendez is back, along with ultra-athletic youngster Bryce Deas. Rising junior Demarcus Riddick will also be back, and is hoped to play a larger role after he was limited by a shoulder issue.
Of course, Atkins didn't do it all himself as a disruptive player in the front seven last season. The gravity of someone like Keldric Faulk was crucial, and with a lot of turnover along the defensive line, Durkin will be counting on returning sophomores Malik Autry and Jourdin Crawford to step up.
The Tigers were able to get sixth-year senior nose tackle Dallas Walker IV back, along with transfer pickups along the D-line, but Durkin is clearly excited about continuing to develop Autry and Crawford, who were highly rated signees in 2025.
"We have really, really high expectations for those guys this year and moving forward," Durkin said. "So to have them all return, still be here with us and be in that next year development is critical. I believe the thing that is so missed and lost in college football right now is the development. The way you get better at anything in life is to do something consistently over and over again. When these guys bounce around from year to year, different coaches, different systems, different drills that you're working on, it's really hard to continue to develop at the rate you should.
"Those guys in particular, we're expecting great things from them."
Auburn begins spring practice March 17.
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How will Auburn utilize Byrum Brown as a runner in 2026?
By Peter Rauterkus
al.com
Of the 11 former USF offensive players that Auburn signed this offseason, none were more important than Byrum Brown.
He was the Bulls’ starting quarterback for all three years under Alex Golesh and will now play the same role for the staff’s first season at Auburn. Not only does he bring familiarity in the offense, Brown was one of the most productive quarterbacks in the country this past season.
Brown led the country in total yards per game in 2025 and was the only quarterback to throw for over 3,000 yards and rush for over 1,000. His legs were a big part of USF’s potent offense, as he led the team in carries with 175.
That’s 77 more carries than the next leading rusher, now Auburn running back Nykahi Davenport. At 6-foot-3 and 231 pounds, Brown has the build to take on that many carries and take hits, but he’ll face a new level of physicality and athleticism in the SEC.
That’s a reality offensive coordinator Joel Gordon is already thinking about, and said Auburn will keep that in mind with its play calling in 2026.
"Byrum Brown, whatever offense he’s in, you’d be silly not to use him and all the tools that he has. He’s easily the best running quarterback that I’ve ever seen," Gordon said. “A lot of the things that we do in our offense, man, if you take away this option and this option, all of a sudden he’s got the ball, and that’s part of everyday offense for us.
“And what he can do on his feet, scrambling and extending plays that way, man, we’re going to use those tools however we can. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to keep him healthy to the best of our ability and use him timely and not get him worn down.”
Auburn signed a deep running back class to take some of the pressure off of Brown. With Jeremiah Cobb already coming back, Auburn brought in three more running backs who rushed for over 600 yards in 2025.
Davenport played with Brown at USF and the Tigers also added former Baylor feature back Bryson Washington and former Troy running back Tae Meadows.
Each of those three, along with Cobb, will give Auburn options, meaning Brown won’t have to be the primary rusher. His USF numbers suggest he’s capable of doing so, but to keep him upright for 12 games, leaning on the retooled running back room isn’t a bad idea.
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Auburn football coach Alex Golesh's pitch to 2027 class? 'Get us back'
By Adam Cole
Montgomery Advertiser
Alex Golesh has been off and running since becoming Auburn football's head coach in December, especially so on the recruiting trail.
After piecing together the Tigers' 2026 class in his first couple days on the job, Golesh said he and his staff have been getting a jump start on the 2027 cycle, though Auburn's having to play catch-up with its latest signing class. Auburn has just one commit in the 2027 class, tied with three other SEC squads for the fewest in the league.
"We were able to get out and see a ton of ’27s in this region, some nationally," Golesh said, "and get into some fights that I didn't know we could get into, but we have."
While Auburn's positioning with some of the nation's best prospects may have surprised Golesh, he's selling something clear-cut, and it's a pitch akin to what his predecessor, Hugh Freeze, worked with in signing back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes.
"The message has been really, really simple," Golesh said. "This is one of the most historic, blueblood programs in the history of college football. You can be the reason to get us back."
Golesh has said his staff's priority on the recruiting trail will be the 250-mile radius surrounding Auburn. That includes seven states, with virtually all of Georgia, about half of Mississippi, the Florida panhandle, slivers of both Carolinas and Tennessee, as well as Alabama. In their entirety, those states account for nearly 150 blue-chip prospects based on 247Sports' composite ratings. Nearly 100 of those, 95, are top-250 players nationally, and there's a dozen five-star prospects within those state lines.
It's a region Golesh's staff is already largely familiar with, he said, which has helped make swift inroads.
"Very few, it's the first time you're having conversations with those kids," Golesh said.
To Golesh, what is vital moving forward is actually getting recruits on campus. The program's already hosted a pair of Junior Day events since Golesh arrived, which he believes has helped as much as his staff's familiarity with the region.
"Young men still crave a relationship, still crave a level of accountability, still crave development," Golesh said. "And there's something about playing in front of 88,000 every week and being in a place like Auburn where football is really important. ... We've tried to fast-track a lot of it, but a huge part of it is getting these kids on campus here before the dead period so they can get around us and get around our staff. "
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Auburn Football 2026 Schedule Outlook and Analysis
By Pete Fiutak
Yahoo Sports
Anyone who thinks schedules aren't everything didn't pay attention to Auburn last season.
The Tigers only won one SEC game, and there was an unforgivable loss to Kentucky, but the other six losses were to the strongest teams, including four College Football Playoff teams.
It's a little bit easier this year for new head coach Alex Golesh to deal with in his first season. Here's our 2026 Auburn schedule breakdown.
The Good, the Bad, and Who Auburn Misses in 2026
The Good
The opener against Baylor is in Atlanta - that will be like a home game - and the next three games are in Jordan-Hare.
There aren't two home games in a row the rest of the way, but the team only leaves Alabama once in November.
The Bad
The five true road games aren't easy. Going to Mississippi State isn't going to be a breeze in mid-November - the Bulldog offense should be humming by then - and the other four are a bear.
At Tennessee is the easiest of the four, with Georgia, Ole Miss, and Alabama still to go.
What SEC Teams Auburn Will Miss
Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Texas A&M.
The Tigers miss two of the SEC's College Football Playoff teams from last season - Oklahoma and Texas A&M - and not playing Texas this season is massive.
Kentucky and South Carolina will be better, and Missouri will be dangerous. It would've been nice to miss a few more big teams, but not playing those three isn't bad.
Auburn’s Best and Worst Case Scenarios in 2026
Best Case: The Tigers win September
The last time Auburn started the season 4-0 was ... 2019. Before that, it was 2014.
This season, the Alex Golesh era gets rolling with a win over Baylor. Southern Miss isn't a problem, beating Florida in the SEC opener is great, and keeping it all going against Vanderbilt is strong.
Realistically, it'll be tough to roll through the next four games, but there are two wins of the four - more on that next - and then comes a big run in November, including the first win over Alabama since 2019.
Worst Case: October is a disaster
Losing to Florida in September is bad, but, realistically, Auburn will at least split the dates with the Gators and Vanderbilt. And then ...
At Tennessee, at Georgia, LSU, at Ole Miss - the Tigers go 0-for-October.
Mississippi State comes up with a big performance at home in a mid-November win, and once again, Auburn goes 5-7 with a loss to Alabama.
Auburn Football 2026 Schedule
Sept 5 Baylor (in Atlanta)
Sept 12 Southern Miss
Sept 19 Florida
Sept 26 Vanderbilt
Oct 3 at Tennessee
Oct 10 OPEN DATE
Oct 17 at Georgia
Oct 24 LSU
Oct 31 at Ole Miss
Nov 7 Arkansas
Nov 14 at Mississippi State
Nov 21 Samford
Nov 28 at Alabama
Games That Will Decide Auburn’s Season
1. LSU, Oct. 24
Of course there are a few bigger games, but this is the home oasis from the end of September to November 7th vs Arkansas. That, and beating Lane Kiffin, would do wonders for the morale.
2. at Alabama, Nov. 28
If you have to ask why ...
The Tigers haven't won in Tuscaloosa since their 2010 national championship season.
3. Florida, Sept. 19
No one's expecting anything massive right away, but winning the SEC opener for the first time since 2022 would be a big lift-off moment. It might be a must to go bowling.
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Former Auburn standout after Super Bowl: ‘Mom, this moment is for you’
By Mark Inabinett
al.com
Derick Hall got an early start on life. Too early.
“Speaking as a guy from Mississippi who had a 1 percent chance to live -- and it’s even less than that – to be able to hoist that Lombardi Trophy on this special night is special,” Hall said after helping the Seattle Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX on Sunday night.
When Hall was born in Gulfport, Mississippi, on March 19, 2001, the future Auburn linebacker was four months premature and weighed 2 pounds, 9 ounces – about 251 fewer pounds than he carries today. He spent nearly the first five months of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Memorial Hospital Gulfport.
“Obviously, everybody knows my story and what it took for me to get here,” Hall said. “What it took me just to be alive and have a chance. And, man, all glory to God. I’m very blessed.
“Kudos to Moms, man. That was a special moment after the game hugging my Mama, loving on her and sharing that moment with her. I feel like she’s the unsung hero, the unsung warrior through this whole process, and the love and compassion and she’s always fought for me. She never gave up in that piece, man. …
“Mom just walked up, patted me on my shoulder, hugged me, started crying, talking about she’s so happy, she’s so joyful, and I just immediately reiterated, ‘Mom, this moment is for you.’ Everything it took to get here, and I wouldn’t rather share that moment with anybody else.”
Hall figures without his mother, Stacy Gooden-Crandle, in his corner, he wouldn’t have made it.
“I got to shout out Mom,” Hall said on Sunday night. “Mom doesn’t miss a game from the time I started playing flag football, like, forward to now. My mom has been at every single game, and I feel like that’s huge. Just having that, knowing someone’s there to cheer you on, to be there in the stands for you is special.
“And we’re big in our faith in my family, and leading up to this game, just having mom being there, praying for me right before the game, you know, just doing what we do and be able to go out and win this, man, it’s special.”
Hall also gave credit to the sport in helping an asthmatic child already behind the eight-ball become a “normal kid” before becoming a Super Bowl champion.
“This is what every kid dreams about,” Hall said. “But a little bit towards that, you know, I started playing the game to just be able to get my lung capacity up and just be able to run around a little bit, and I fell in love with the game. It allowed me to be a normal kid. I would always sit and watch other kids outside running around, and I wasn’t able to do those things. So, man, that’s really where it kicked off for me. That’s what this game, you know, led to my love and ultimately to this moment …
“And then just being able to play football, man, and what this game has done for me in my life and for my family is -- I’ll never be able to repay this game, man. You always love and respect it, and I feel like I show that every single time I step on the field.”
Hall entered Super Bowl LX with two sacks in 16 games this season. He registered two sacks of New England quarterback Drake Maye while playing 35 of Seattle’s 71 defensive snaps on Sunday.
“It’s been a little crazy year for me,” Hall said. “Obviously, the pressures and the hits have been there, but no sacks. And, man, what a more rewarding time to be blessed and have the opportunity to go out in this game and help lead this team to success tonight. So I really can’t put it into words. I’m blessed, I’m honored and all glory to God in that.”
After the Seahawks ended the game’s first possession with a field goal, Hall derailed New England’s first series by sacking Maye for a 10-yard loss on a first-and-10 snap from the Seattle 45-yard line with 8:51 left in the first quarter. The Patriots punted to end that possession and their next seven series.
Hall knocked the football away from Maye on his second sack with 10 seconds left in the third quarter. Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy recovered the loose football at the New England 37-yard line.
Five snaps later, Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold completed a 16-yard pass to tight end AJ Barner for the game’s first touchdown as the Seahawks took a 19-0 lead with 13:24 to play.
“I’m incredibly happy for him,” Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said. “He’s played great football for us all year. Just plays the right way, man. Just plays so violently, relentlessly. I mean, even like the sack was on a counter, you know? And then got the ball out, which was something we needed to do to win the game.”
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A win for the good guys: Derick Hall, Dylan Cardwell deserve everything they've won
By Brian Stultz
It’s inevitable when you are on the beat of a sports team that you will learn who your favorites are, despite how professional or unbiased you are. It’s human nature to like some people more than others, and when you get to know someone over one or multiple years, their true self shows itself.
When I covered Washington State, Gardner Minshew was always a great source for quotes. At Auburn, it was always entertaining to talk to certain student-athletes. Zep Jasper comes to mind. So do many of the 2022 Auburn baseball team that made it to Omaha. Keionte Scott was always nice, and his success this year at Miami made me smile more than it should have.
However, if you ask the majority of the media who have covered Auburn over the past five or six years, two names will almost certainly be at the top of the list: Derick Hall and Dylan Cardwell.
Those two just completed arguably the best moments of their lives. And, as Auburn fans know, their love for Auburn is returned in every single way.
Derick Hall wins first Super Bowl ring
Everyone knows the story about Hall’s birth, in which he was born dead, doctors gave him very little chance to live, and then, 20 years later, he became an All-SEC performer and second-round pick in the NFL draft. On Sunday, in the biggest game of his life in Super Bowl LX, Hall showed why no one – doctors, opponents, coaches, fans – should ever doubt him, recording two sacks, two tackles for a loss and a forced fumble as the Seattle Seahawks made life miserable for the New England Patriots and quarterback Drake Maye.
In a score that looked closer than the actual game, Hall walked out of Levi’s Stadium with a Super Bowl ring.
Leave Santa Clara and travel 120 miles or so northeast in California, and you will find the best story in the NBA this season. Dylan Cardwell was a lot of things at Auburn, including a fan favorite, jokester, and first to take his shirt off in the stands at Jordan-Hare Stadium (Hall would follow suit at basketball games), but there were not many that he would be doing what he’s currently doing for the Sacramento Kings.
After five seasons at Auburn, in which he got better every season, Cardwell went undrafted but was picked up by the Kings in a two-way contract. Many players who sign those take time to make a difference in the NBA. That’s not Cardwell’s way.
The big man has played so well and, of course, become a fan favorite in Sacramento so quickly that he was put on a full contract last Thursday. The details of the contract pay him a guaranteed $870,000 this season and $2.15 million next year. That’s life-changing money for Cardwell, who has worked his way from role player to scoring a double-double for the Kings last week.
Hall and Cardwell will always be welcome back at Auburn, and I’m certain that they will return and pay back to the university that gave them so much. I joked with Cardwell that he would one day become the university president, but I wasn’t fully joking. These two guys make a difference on the floor, sure, but it’s the impact they have off of it that made them so popular on the Plains.
After his last collegiate game, Hall came into the press room and did something that rarely happens: he thanked the media for all of the coverage they had given him during his time at Auburn. It was a heartfelt speech that meant as much to us as it did to him. Cardwell basically did the same after the tough Final Four loss to Florida last April, expressing his appreciation for us, the media.
In a world where it seems bad people continue to build up victories, it’s nice to see two of the nicest get their due.
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Former Auburn cornerback on the other side of Super Bowl emotions this time
By Mark Inabinett
al.com
Cornerback Carlton Davis knew how it felt to win the Super Bowl. Now he knows how it feels to lose the Super Bowl.
The former Auburn cornerback started in Tampa Bay’s secondary in the Buccaneers’ 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7, 2021. But on Sunday, Davis was at cornerback for the New England Patriots in a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
“I mean, it hurt, it hurt, it hurt,” Davis said. “And we’ll be better. We lost as a team. And, you know, it is what it is.”
Davis joined the Patriots as a free agent in the offseason on a three-year, $54 million contract. He was part of a roster overhaul under new coach Mike Vrabel that lifted New England from four victories in the 2024 season to 17 wins (including the playoffs) in the 2025 campaign.
“Obviously, we didn’t get the job done,” Davis said. “It (expletive) stings. It’s never going to not sting. But we got a bright future, man. We got a lot of great young players coming in and taking the league by storm in the first year having a new coaching staff and a lot of new free agents, something that’s really unheard of. So they heard it, but I got a feeling we’ll be back.”
Davis’ two Super Bowl appearances were similar.
In the Bucs’ victory, Davis played 73 of Tampa Bay’s 75 defensive snaps. He made five tackles – four on defense and one on special teams. Davis’ team got outgained by 10 yards, and the winning side had a 2-0 turnover advantage.
In the Patriots’ loss, Davis played 68 of New England’s 72 defensive snaps. He made six tackles. Davis’ team got outgained by 4 yards, and the winning side had a 3-0 turnover advantage.
“I think we’ll use it as motivation,” Davis said after Sunday’s defeat, “and we’ll move forward. And I feel like we’ll be back.”
New England can be more selective in its team construction this offseason, with only six players set to become unrestricted free agents in March.
“I mean, every year it’s a new team,” Davis said. “Hopefully, we can retain a lot of the core guys, and I really feel like we already got a lot of guys under the contract, and I’m pretty sure the front office and our coaches are making those decisions moving forward for next year.”
Since entering the NFL as a second-round selection in the 2018 draft, Davis has played in 106 regular-season and 13 playoff games. His teams have 65 regular-season and nine postseason victories.
On Sunday, Davis was trying to become the sixth Auburn alumnus to play in two Super Bowl victories. Steve Wallace played in three of the San Francisco 49ers’ Super Bowl wins, and Mike Kolen, Brandon Jacobs, Jonathan Jones and Brandon King played in two Super Bowl victories apiece.
“Hell, yeah, I mean, we’re really optimistic,” Davis said about getting another Super Bowl opportunity with the Patriots. “Obviously, right now, it stings. So, yeah, that’s the mood. But looking forward, we know that this is our first year and that we accomplished a lot. But, obviously, we want to win it all.”
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Who’ll cash in as an NFL free agent this offseason?
By Mark Inabinett
al.com
A former backup quarterback at Auburn, Malik Willis has been paid $6.996 million in the first four seasons of his NFL career. But after playing 22 games and starting six in that span, Willis can expect a pay upgrade in 2026. The sports financial website estimates Willis’ next contract to be worth $71.075 million over two seasons.
The Green Bay Packers backup quarterback is among the NFL players headed toward unrestricted free agency in March who could cash in in a big way.
The Seattle Seahawks’ 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Sunday night ended the NFL’s 2025 season, leaving all 32 teams able to turn their full attention to preparing for the 2026 campaign.
That team building will include free agency, which starts with the NFL’s 2026 business year on March 11.
Any NFL player with at least four seasons of experience and an expiring contract will become an unrestricted free agent at 3 p.m. CDT March 11 if he doesn’t sign a contract extension or his team doesn’t use its franchise tag on him before then.
The players headed toward unrestricted free agency at that time could include 35 from Alabama high schools and colleges.
The players from Alabama high schools and colleges on NFL active rosters or reserve lists at the end of the 2025 regular season who are eligible to become unrestricted free agents at 3 p.m. March 11 include (listed with their current team):
Indianapolis Colts running back Ameer Abdullah, Homewood
Tennessee Titans cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Alabama
Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship, West Limestone
Miami Dolphins linebacker K.J. Britt, Oxford, Auburn
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson, Auburn
Detroit Lions linebacker Zach Cunningham, Pinson Valley
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean, Auburn
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Jack Driscoll, Auburn
New York Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, Saraland
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford, Alabama
Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, Alabama
Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris, Alabama
Los Angeles Chargers long snapper Josh Harris, Auburn
Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris, Alabama
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Ronnie Harrison, Alabama
Washington Commanders cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, Hewitt-Trussville, Auburn
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe, Alabama
Washington Commanders cornerback Jonathan Jones, Auburn
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Roger McCreary, Williamson, Auburn
New York Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal, Alabama
New York Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Central-Phenix City
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens, Hoover
San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr., Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Cam Robinson, Alabama
Washington Commanders offensive tackle Trent Scott, Lee-Huntsville
Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith, Auburn
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, Park Crossing
Detroit Lions safety Daniel Thomas, Lee-Montgomery, Auburn
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, McGill-Toolen, South Alabama
Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward, Davidson
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Jonah Williams, Alabama
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams, Wenonah
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams, Lee-Montgomery
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis, Auburn
While Willis seems to be headed for a significant pay raise, the player with Alabama football roots predicted to sign the biggest contract in free agency is Pickens, with a projected four-year, $122.425 million deal.
Pickens will need to get to free agency first, though. Reports this weekend indicated the Cowboys plan to use their franchise tag on the wide receiver to keep Pickens from reaching the open market.
Dean, Flott and Smith also are expected to be in high demand and command contracts worth more than $30 million if they reach free agency in March.
Seven other NFL players from Alabama high schools and colleges are eligible to become restricted free agents on March 11:
Cleveland Browns linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, Auburn High
Seattle Seahawks safety AJ Finley, St. Paul’s Episcopal
New York Jets wide receiver John Metchie III, Alabama
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon, Hoover
Carolina Panthers defensive lineman LaBryan Ray, James Clemens, Alabama
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V, Ramsay, UAB
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman, South Alabama
A restricted free agent is a player with three NFL seasons and an expiring contract. Like unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents can negotiate with any interested teams, but their original teams can tender restricted free agents with qualifying offers from four tiers. All the tenders give the original teams the ability to match any contract offer before losing a player and some carry draft-pick compensation if a player signs elsewhere.
Yet another type of NFL free agent is the exclusive-rights free agent. An ERFA is a player with fewer than three seasons and an expiring contract. If his original team offers the ERFA a contract, the player cannot negotiate with other teams.
The NFL’s pending exclusive-rights free agents include two with Alabama football roots:
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Reddy Steward, Austin, Troy
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal, Troy
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Where Auburn DE Keldric Faulk is Predicted to Land After Falling in CBS Sports' Latest Mock Draft
By Brooks Crew
Despite a dominant stretch of seasons with the Auburn Tigers, defensive end Keldric Faulk has fallen one notable mock draft for this year’s NFL Draft. The junior, who posted 23 solo tackles and two sacks throughout his third season with the Tigers, fell in CBS Sports’ mock draft from the 12th spot to the 15th spot in the wake of the Senior Bowl.
Notably, Faulk, the youngest player in this year’s draft at 20 years old, did not participate in the Senior Bowl on account of his early entrance in the draft, a decision that shook up many rankings.
While he fell, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson still had high praise for the former Tiger.
“First, Faulk just turned 20 in September,” Wilson wrote. “Second, he's unofficially 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds, and he is already near-elite as a run defender. The power and athleticism with which he plays make it an easy projection to see him as a dominant pass rusher down the road. Maybe it doesn't happen until, say, Year 2 in the league, but when it all comes together, it's going to be scary.”
In the 12th spot, where CBS Sports’ Josh Wilson had Faulk landing back in late January, Faulk would head to Dallas, while Ryan Wilson has a post-Senior Bowl Faulk headed to Tampa Bay to play for the Buccaneers.
Faulk was a key part of multiple high-level Auburn defenses throughout his career, posting a total of 110 tackles, 74 solo tackles, 10 sacks and a forced fumble over three seasons with the Tigers. This has earned him CBS Sports’ 13th overall prospect ranking, as well as the second overall at his position.
Faulk’s best season with the Tigers was back in 2024, his sophomore season, in which he posted an impressive 45 tackles, 30 solo tackles, seven sacks and a forced fumble. He has been projected to land as high as the ninth overall pick, which falls to the Kansas City Chiefs this year, but he has also been projected to land as low as the 20th pick, to the Cowboys once again.
This year’s NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pa., and will be the beginning of perhaps the most notable Auburn defensive career since Derrick Brown made headlines as a first-rounder to the Panthers in 2020.
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