Auburn’s defense took a hit in fall camp, and the timing couldn’t be worse for a BUCK spot that was already under the microscope.
Coach Alex Golesh said Wednesday that Jakaleb Faulk had a procedure on a collarbone injury suffered during camp, and that the linebacker/hybrid EDGE is out for the entire 2026 regular season. Golesh left a small window open with his wording, though, mentioning “as of now” and pointing to the end of November.
"The hope is that towards the end of the season - end of November, December - we would have him," Golesh said. "As of right now, he would be out for the regular season, which stinks.
Feel for him. He's worked hard to put himself in a position to play."
That means Faulk is set to miss most, if not all, of his redshirt freshman year. Whether he gets that season back is an open question, especially with the five-in-five rules Congress is looking to impose. Under those rules, medical redshirts could become nearly impossible.
Before the injury, Faulk was expected to be part of the rotation in 2026 and ideally take a step forward after appearing only in Auburn’s Mercer game in 2025. In that 62-17 win over the Bears last November, he finished with four solo tackles.
For now, the job belongs to Da'Shawn Womack. He is the starter at BUCK as an on-ball outside linebacker and edge-rusher, which would have been true even if Faulk had stayed healthy and stayed in the mix. Womack has been one of the bright spots in camp, drawing strong praise from OLB coach Coleman Hutzler.
"He's worked his butt off. He's been through a lot, right?
From his third school, he's really jumped into our room and into our defense and been a great guy to provide energy and enthusiasm. He practices the right way, man," Hutzler said of Womack, who's on his third school after stints with LSU and Ole Miss.
Auburn will also lean on Nate Johnson, Chris Murray, Joe Phillips, Jaquez Wilkes and Chris Wells for reps at the position. With the way Durkin’s defense runs, everyone should have chances most games, and Faulk’s injury only widens the opening for that group.
The challenge is replacing what Keyron Crawford brought to the spot last season. Crawford is now in the NFL after the Las Vegas Raiders took him in the third round of the draft, and his production was hard to miss: 43 quarterback pressures in 2025.
He was a disruptive force alongside Keldric Faulk, who had 30 pressures and is now with the Tennessee Titans. Keldric, of course, is J.J.’s brother.
Crawford arrived as an Arkansas State transfer and gave Auburn two strong seasons, leaving behind a major standard for the next wave to chase. If his run says anything, it’s that Durkin has a real track record of developing linebackers. Hutzler now steps into the mix after replacing Roc Bellantoni, who did well in that role as well.
There’s talent here, and if Faulk does make it back late in the year, Auburn could still get a boost down the stretch. For now, though, the Tigers have to move on without him.
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Cam Newton showing up in Missouri gear at the Tigers fall camp was enough to spark a fresh round of conversation among Auburn fans, especially because his visit was tied to receiver Cayden Lee, one of the players he mentors. Newtons ties to Missouris coaching staff come from his Auburn days, but his connection to this stop is more about support and relationships than any real playing history with the program.
Even so, the sight of the former Auburn star wearing another schools colors got people talking about what his place should be around Auburn going forward. For all the debate it stirred, the bigger takeaway may be simpler: Newton still carries real weight in college football circles, and Auburn could benefit from finding a more formal way to use that presence around its athletics program. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns Defense Is Already Facing Heat After Camp Scrimmage
Auburns defense has spent much of preseason camp under the microscope, with the staff using recent scrimmage work to stress the basics before the real tests arrive. Head coach Alex Golesh, along with coordinator DJ Durkin and position coach Coleman Hutzler, has made tackling and overall technique a point of emphasis, a sign that the Tigers are still trying to sharpen the group as camp winds on.
The tone around the unit has been firm, and the players have taken notice of the demanding coaching that comes with it. Auburn knows the early camp work is about more than just sorting out depth - it is also about building habits that hold up once the season starts, and the defenses uneven showing has only raised the urgency around getting those details right. [Read more 🡒]