Auburn’s defense was one of the bright spots in an otherwise frustrating 2025 season. Despite the Tigers finishing 5-7, the defense consistently gave them a fighting chance-ranking 30th nationally in total yards allowed per game and an impressive 12th in rushing yards allowed. That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident.
Auburn leaned on a mix of returning veterans and a wave of transfer talent to build out its defensive identity. The Tigers brought in nine defensive transfers last offseason, with results that spanned the full spectrum-from game-changers to depth pieces. Let’s break down how each of those transfers fared in their first year on the Plains.
Xavier Atkins, LB
Grade: A
There’s no sugarcoating it-Xavier Atkins was a revelation. Auburn’s most productive defender in 2025, Atkins racked up 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. That stat line alone is eye-popping, but it’s the context that makes it even more impressive.
Atkins arrived from LSU with limited experience, but it didn’t take long for defensive coordinator DJ Durkin to realize he had something special. Atkins’ speed and sideline-to-sideline range made him a nightmare for opposing offenses. He became Auburn’s first All-American linebacker since Karlos Dansby in 2003 and the program’s first All-American at any position since Roger McCreary in 2021.
When you lead the SEC in tackles for loss and earn First Team All-SEC and All-America honors, you’re not just a great transfer-you’re a cornerstone. Atkins was exactly that.
Rayshawn Pleasant, CB
Grade: B+
Pleasant brought a spark to Auburn’s secondary and special teams after transferring in from Tulane. He made his presence felt immediately, returning a kickoff for a touchdown in the season opener against Baylor. His most complete performance came in the win over Arkansas, where he not only had another big return but also picked off two passes-including a pick-six.
While he wasn’t a lockdown corner every week, Pleasant became a steady contributor in the rotation and showed a knack for momentum-swinging plays. With Jay Crawford and Kayin Lee expected to hit the portal, Pleasant becomes even more valuable heading into 2026.
Chris Murray, Buck LB
Grade: B-
Murray didn’t start, but he gave Auburn solid reps behind Keyron Crawford on the edge. He totaled 15 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks-numbers that don’t jump off the page but reflect a player who did his job when called upon.
He wasn’t a game-changer, but he was reliable depth in a position group that needed it. That consistency earns him a respectable B-.
Dallas Walker IV, DL
Grade: B+
Interior defensive linemen don’t always show up in the box score, but Walker made his impact felt in the trenches. He finished with one of the highest run defense grades on the team, according to Pro Football Focus, and was a key cog in Auburn’s top-tier run defense.
Walker didn’t rack up sacks or splash plays, but his ability to clog lanes and control the interior helped Auburn consistently win at the line of scrimmage. For a unit that finished 12th nationally against the run, Walker’s role was crucial.
Raion Strader, CB
Grade: C
Strader, a transfer from Miami (OH), couldn’t quite carve out a consistent role in Auburn’s secondary. He played in 11 games but saw meaningful snaps only when injuries forced the issue. He finished the season with nine tackles and three pass breakups.
He wasn’t a liability, but he also didn’t elevate the position group. With others ahead of him on the depth chart and his decision to re-enter the portal, Strader’s time at Auburn feels more like a missed opportunity than a misstep.
Jay Hardy, DL
Grade: B-
Hardy returned to Auburn after a stint at Liberty, and while he didn’t dominate, he was a dependable part of the defensive line rotation. He posted 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.
His production didn’t match Walker’s, but Hardy’s experience and rotational value gave Auburn depth up front. Not flashy, but functional-and that earns him a solid B-.
Caleb Wheatland, LB
Grade: N/A
Wheatland came in from Maryland with a strong résumé, but he never found his footing in Auburn’s linebacker rotation. He played just three games and logged only 19 snaps-too small a sample size to fairly assess his impact.
James Ash, DL
Grade: N/A
Ash transferred in from Florida A&M but couldn’t crack the Tigers’ deep defensive line rotation. He appeared in just two games and played 11 total snaps. Like Wheatland, there’s just not enough to go on here.
Taye Seymore, S
Grade: N/A
Seymore didn’t see the field after transferring from Georgia Tech. With zero snaps played, there’s no performance to evaluate.
Jacoby Mathews, S
Grade: N/A
Mathews joined the team in July after taking the 2024 season off, but never broke into the safety rotation. He played in just one game, making it impossible to grade his contribution.
Final Takeaway
Auburn’s 2025 defense was built on toughness, speed, and a blend of old and new faces. While the offense struggled to find its rhythm, the defense kept the Tigers competitive in most games. And among the nine defensive transfers, a few stood out-none more than Xavier Atkins, who turned in one of the most dominant seasons by an Auburn linebacker in two decades.
Not every transfer hit, and some barely saw the field, but the overall return on investment leaned positive. If the new coaching staff can retain key pieces like Pleasant and build around stars like Atkins, Auburn’s defense could be a force again in 2026.