Auburn looks to be a dark horse in the SEC in year three under Hugh Freeze. The Tigers got off to a strong start, sitting at 3-0 and ranked 22nd in the nation. The road to Atlanta begins with the conference opener against Oklahoma. The defense will face its toughest test yet, going against John Mateer and the Sooners offense. Fortunately, the Tigers have a premier pass rusher in Keldric Faulk, who can stifle opposing quarterbacks. Faulk improved as a player throughout his first two seasons in college, and he looks to take another step in 2025. His traits are elite for a defensive end, but how does he stack up in an impressive edge rusher class?
Faulk was a four-star recruit coming out of Highland Home (Alabama). He was the ninth-ranked defensive lineman in the Class of 2023 and committed to Auburn. Faulk saw the field early in his college career, appearing in all 13 games as a true freshman. He had 35 tackles, four tackles for loss, and a sack in 2023. While 2024 was a rough season for the Tigers, Faulk’s breakout was a bright spot. He racked up 45 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and seven sacks as a sophomore. There were glimpses of a dominant pass rusher, as Faulk had two sacks in three separate games against California, Georgia, and Kentucky. Faulk has eight tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack through three games in 2025.
The hype around Faulk as a prospect has a lot to do with his frame, measuring at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds. His size will allow him to match up physically with NFL offensive linemen. Faulk excels as a run defender and displays the instincts to read gaps and be in position to make plays. He is a reliable tackler who routinely finishes off reps in run support. His power is excellent, which isn’t surprising given his measurables. Faulk uses his power to overpower offensive tackles with his bull rush. While he certainly has the play strength needed for a defensive end, Faulk isn’t just pure power. His speed is impressive for his size, as he can close in on quarterbacks quickly. Faulk is alignment versatile, having experience playing at various spots along the defensive line.
While all the physical traits are there with Faulk, there’s still room to grow as a pass rusher. The power and speed are evident, but Faulk is still fairly raw from a technical standpoint. He is still a very young prospect, and developing the more nuanced aspects of the position will help him reach his potential.
Faulk has incredible upside at a premium position in the NFL. Few prospects at any position match his traits, and he’s been on an upward trajectory at Auburn. The floor is an every-down defensive lineman who is a major contributor against the run. If Faulk can refine his craft as a pass rusher, he can develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber player. His game is similar to Travon Walker, who had incredible traits and displayed versatility along with good run defense. Walker developed into a quality edge rusher, and Faulk can do the same. He will almost certainly be a first-round pick with his upside. If Faulk puts it all together, he can be the first defensive end selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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