As Alex Golesh and his staff continue reshaping Auburn’s roster through the transfer portal, the Tigers’ defensive front is starting to come into focus. With spring ball on the horizon, one position group that’s drawing plenty of attention is the interior defensive line - a unit that’s seen its fair share of turnover since the end of the 2025 season.
Let’s break down what Auburn’s got cooking up front, where the Tigers lost some key contributors but also return a veteran presence and welcome in a few intriguing new faces under defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams.
The Anchor Returns: Dallas Walker IV
Let’s start with the good news - Dallas Walker IV is back. His stat line from last season won’t blow anyone away (13 tackles), but don’t let the numbers fool you.
Walker was a stabilizing force in the middle of the defense, eating up space, occupying blockers, and doing the dirty work that doesn’t always show up in the box score. For a defense that’s looking to re-establish its identity up front, having a veteran like Walker in the trenches is a big deal.
He’s the kind of player you can build around.
Young Talent Ready to Take the Leap
Behind Walker, Auburn’s counting on a trio of second-year players to step into larger roles: Malik Autry, Jourdin Crawford, and Darrion Smith. All three flashed potential as true freshmen, and now they’ll get a shot to show what they can do with more reps and responsibility.
Smith, in particular, is one to watch. He only logged three tackles across eight games last season, but don’t let that fool you - when he was on the field, he showed real juice as a pass rusher. He’s got the tools to be disruptive, and if he can put it all together, he could become a key piece in the rotation.
Autry and Crawford bring size and physicality to the room, and both have the kind of frame and skill set that suggest a breakout could be coming. If they can take that sophomore jump, Auburn’s interior line could be deeper - and more dangerous - than expected.
The Newcomers: Transfers and Freshmen Bring Upside
The Tigers didn’t go overboard in the portal, but they made some calculated additions that could pay off in a big way.
Let’s start with Sigler - one of the more compelling stories in college football. After redshirting his freshman year at West Alabama, he’s transformed his body and game.
Now tipping the scales at close to 300 pounds and standing 6-3, Sigler is the kind of high-motor, high-effort player that makes everyone around him better. He may not have the Power Five pedigree, but don’t be surprised if he earns a role quickly.
He’s got the work ethic and physicality to make an impact.
Then there’s Farrior, the Appalachian State transfer. At 6-3, 335 pounds, he’s a classic space-eater - the type of interior presence who can clog running lanes and keep linebackers clean. He may not be flashy, but he gives Auburn much-needed depth and size in the middle.
On the other end of the spectrum is Walter Mathis, a transfer from LSU who brings a different flavor to the group. At 6-2, 285, he’s a more explosive, athletic presence at the point of attack. His quickness off the ball could make him a real asset in Auburn’s defensive scheme, and he’s got the upside to push for a starting role right away.
Freshmen in the Fold
Auburn also brought in two freshmen to round out the group. Wells won’t arrive until after the spring, but Tavian Branch is already on campus and will go through winter workouts and spring practice.
That early start could give him a leg up in the competition for reps. He’s raw, but getting those early reps in the weight room and on the practice field is crucial for a young lineman trying to break into the rotation.
Final Thoughts
All told, this is a group that’s in transition - but not without promise. There’s a solid mix of experience, youth, and upside.
Walker provides leadership and stability. The sophomore trio of Autry, Crawford, and Smith brings potential.
And the newcomers - particularly Sigler, Mathis, and Farrior - offer different skill sets that could help round out the rotation.
It’s not a massive room in terms of numbers, but there’s enough talent here for coach Vontrell King-Williams to mold into a productive unit. If the young guys develop and the transfers hit, Auburn’s interior defensive line could quietly become one of the strengths of the defense in 2026.