Auburn’s defense is set to lose a major piece heading into the 2026 season, with standout linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr. expected to enter the transfer portal.
Woodyard confirmed Tuesday that he plans to leave the program and won’t return for new head coach Alex Golesh’s debut season on the Plains. It’s a significant move for both player and program. The Mobile native blossomed into a cornerstone of Auburn’s defense in 2025, earning first-team All-SEC honors from Pro Football Focus after a breakout junior campaign.
And the numbers back it up. Woodyard racked up 67 tackles this past season-47 of them solo-along with 7 tackles for loss and 2 sacks across 433 defensive snaps.
That kind of production doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s the result of a player finally hitting his stride after a couple of quiet years and becoming a true difference-maker at the heart of the defense.
Woodyard’s journey at Auburn wasn’t always smooth. A highly touted recruit out of Williamson High School in Mobile, he arrived on campus with plenty of expectations as part of the 2022 signing class. But his early years were relatively quiet-just four games played in his freshman season, followed by only three appearances in 2023.
That changed in 2024, when Woodyard started to carve out a more defined role. He posted 17 tackles, 13 of them solo, with 3 tackles for loss and a pass breakup-flashes of the playmaker he’d become a year later. It was clear the light was starting to come on.
In 2025, it fully clicked. Woodyard became a force in the middle of the Tigers’ defense, combining instincts, physicality, and sideline-to-sideline range.
His presence was felt every Saturday, whether he was blowing up plays in the backfield or locking down the second level. That kind of leap is what coaches hope to see from a player entering his third year in the program.
Now, he’s looking for a new opportunity. When the transfer portal officially opens on January 2, Woodyard is expected to become the 20th Auburn player to enter-an eye-opening number that reflects just how much change is underway as Golesh takes over the reins.
For Auburn, this is a tough loss. Replacing a first-team All-SEC linebacker isn’t easy, especially one who was just beginning to tap into his full potential. For Woodyard, it’s a chance to build on a breakout season and bring his game to a new stage.
Wherever he lands, one thing is clear: Robert Woodyard Jr. has proven he can play at a high level in the SEC. And he’s just getting started.