Auburn football is gearing up for another season with high hopes, especially on the defensive end, as coordinator DJ Durkin returns to lead the charge in 2026. The Tigers are banking on consistency and improvement, particularly in the safety room, where new position coach Tim Banks is tasked with turning things around after a challenging 2025.
Safety Kaleb Harris, now in his third year, is optimistic about the changes. "Coach Banks is really helping us clean up last year's mistakes," Harris shared. "He's rebuilding our confidence and pushing us to play at our best."
Harris wrapped up the previous season with 38 tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception. While his performance dipped slightly from his freshman year, with his Pro Football Focus grade dropping from 78.0 to 66.7, he's determined to bounce back. The Auburn secondary, as a whole, conceded over 2,600 yards and 15 touchdowns last year, stats they're eager to improve.
Harris's mindset for his junior year is clear: "I just want to win. I've been here two years and we haven't won yet. I'm tired of losing," he expressed with determination.
Coach Alex Golesh is also focused on nurturing leadership within the team. Sophomores AnQuon Fegans and Eric Winters are emerging as key figures in the secondary, expected to shoulder significant responsibility this season. Junior Sylvester Smith, who has accumulated 59 tackles, two sacks, and an interception over his two years, is another vital piece of the puzzle.
Golesh highlighted the growth of these players: "AnQuon and Eric have shown flashes of brilliance. It's about consistency now, day in and day out.
And Sylvester is figuring things out, too. With new coaches, there's always an adjustment period, but it's my job to empower them."
As Auburn looks forward to their spring game on April 18 at Jordan-Hare Stadium, there's a palpable sense of anticipation. The Tigers are ready to showcase their progress and set the tone for a promising season ahead.