Auburn spring football preview: Buck/Defensive Ends
Spring practice is underway at Auburn, and it's time to preview another position group ahead of A-Day, which will take place on Saturday, April 12 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The next position groups we will examine in our spring breakdown series are the defensive ends and bucks. The most notable departure from last season's Buck group is Jalen McLeod, who logged 105 tackles with 13.5 sacks over his final two seasons as a collegiate athlete. Auburn added several true defensive ends from high school recruiting, four-stars Jared Smith and Antonio Coleman, to join sophomore Amaris Williams to form a quality edge rush.
A key returner to the Buck position, Keyron Crawford, says that he feels much more comfortable this spring after transferring to Auburn from Arkansas State during the spring transfer portal window last season.
'It's just a different approach because I know the defense a little better. I know the things I have to improve on and the things like I have to do to become a leader in this team," Crawford said. "We're a young team right now. I know the guys that's looking up to me, I gotta be a better role model than that. So this is a pretty big role for me.'
Here is a look at what the Auburn defensive end and buck room looks like as spring practice continues on the Plains.
Buck
No. 3 Chris Murray
2024 stats (Sam Houston State): 13 games played, 35 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
13 games played, 35 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles Career stats: 22 games played (two seasons), 50 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 1 pass deflection, 2 forced fumbles
Murray steps into a Power Four program after a successful two-season career at Sam Houston State. In his first full season as a starter in 2024, Murray logged 33 pressures and missed just five tackles.
No. 11 Jamonta Waller
2024 stats: 2 games played, 2 total tackles
2 games played, 2 total tackles Career stats: Same
Redshirt freshman Jamonta Waller had the potential to see the field more in 2024. However, he suffered a foot injury in October that required season-ending surgery. Expect Waller to use this spring to bounce back and compete for more play time.
No. 24 Keyron Crawford
2024 stats: 12 games played, 22 tackles, 1 TFL
12 games played, 22 tackles, 1 TFL Career stats: 35 games played (3 years), 80 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass breakups
Crawford bounced around the linebacker position last season, where he logged 22 tackles in his first season on the Plains after transferring in from Arkansas State. He recorded a season-high five tackles in Auburn's 4OT win over Texas A&M and logged four pressures in three games.
No. 31 Joe Phillips
2024 stats: 2 games played, 0 tackles, 0 TFL, 0 forced fumbles, 0 sacks
2 games played, 0 tackles, 0 TFL, 0 forced fumbles, 0 sacks Career stats: Same
Phillips signed with Auburn as a four-star linebacker from the 2024 cycle, where he was the No. 10 overall recruit from Alabama. He played in two games last season and looks to add more games to his belt in 2025.
Defensive ends
No. 10 Amaris Williams
2024 stats: 10 games played, 6 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks
10 games played, 6 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks Career stats: Same
Sophomore Amaris Williams returns to head up the EDGE group after playing in 10 games last season. He graded out at 71 or higher three times last season and created five pressures.
No. 41 Jared Smith
2025 247Sports recruiting rankings: 4-star EDGE, No. 71 nationally, No. 7 EDGE, No. 3 from Alabama (Thompson High School- Alabaster)
Auburn's second-highest rated signee is on campus to compete in spring practice. Smith was one of six signees to rank in the top 10 of 247Sports' recruiting rankings for Alabama and is ready to make an impact on the Auburn defensive line.
No. 99 Antonio Coleman
2025 247Sports recruiting rankings: 4-star DL, No. 182 nationally, No. 19 DL, No. 11 from Alabama (Saraland High School- Saraland)
Coleman just missed joining Smith in the top 10 of 247Sports Alabama recruiting rankings by finishing the cycle at No. 11. As a senior at Saraland High School in 2024, he logged 60 tackles with 13 TFL and two sacks.
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