Auburn continues to stay aggressive in the transfer portal, and Thursday night brought another key addition to a defense that’s quietly stacking talent. The Tigers landed their first linebacker transfer of the offseason with the signing of Micheal Mathews-Canty out of Hampton - their 38th portal pickup so far.
Mathews-Canty brings with him two years of eligibility and a redshirt season, and he’s not just depth - he’s production. Over the past two seasons at Hampton, he racked up 102 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
That’s the kind of stat line that doesn’t just happen by accident. He’s active, instinctive, and has a nose for the football.
Last season alone, Mathews-Canty posted 78 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks - a breakout year that put him squarely on the radar of Power Five programs. He’s not new to making an impact early, either.
As a true freshman, he saw action in five games, tallying 24 tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. That kind of early production speaks to a player who doesn’t need much time to adjust.
Now, he steps into a linebacker room at Auburn that’s already got some serious talent. With returning playmakers like Xavier Atkins, Demarcus Riddick, and Elijah Melendez leading the way, this group is shaping up to be one of the more competitive units on the roster. Mathews-Canty’s arrival adds another layer of depth and versatility - and potentially, another impact player who can contribute right away.
Auburn’s defensive staff has been intentional about building a unit that can fly to the ball and play with physicality. Mathews-Canty fits that mold. He’s shown he can produce at a high level, and now he’ll get a chance to prove he can do it in the SEC.
With 38 transfers already in the fold, Auburn isn’t just retooling - they’re rebuilding with purpose. And in Mathews-Canty, they may have found another piece that helps this defense take a step forward.