Latest news with #Faulk
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking the 10 best LSU football players from Nick Saban's LSU tenure
Nick Saban's tenure as LSU football's head coach revived the program. The 90s were a rough decade in Baton Rouge. The 80s were up and down, too. When Saban arrived, he saw LSU as a sleeping giant. An SEC program surrounded by talent. It didn't take Saban long to get it rolling. Saban went 8-4 in year one. A big turnaround after LSU won just three games the prior season. In 2001, Saban led LSU to double-digit wins. And in 2003, LSU went 13-1 and won its first national championship of the BCS/College Football Playoff era. It was the Tigers' first national title since 1958. Saban's LSU legacy is complicated. He stuck around for one more year after the title before taking a job with the Miami Dolphins. After the NFL didn't work out, Saban returned to the college ranks, accepting Alabama's head coaching position. Saban built Alabama into a dynasty, much at the expense of LSU. For most of Saban's tenure in Tuscaloosa, the Tide got the best of the Tigers. LSU won two more national titles in that span, but Saban and Alabama won six. After the 2023 college football season, Saban retired. With Saban gone, LSU fans could once again look back on Saban's LSU tenure with fond memories. Today, we'll rank the top 10 players of the Saban era at LSU. 10. Trev Faulk, linebacker Faulk's first season at LSU was 1999, one year before Nick Saban took over. In 2000, Faulk emerged as a key difference maker in year one under Saban. Faulk was First-Team All-SEC with 133 tackles and nine tackles for loss. Faulk's four fumble recoveries in 2000 rank fourth in LSU history. In 2001, Faulk earned All-SEC honors again. Faulk finished his LSU career with 194 tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss. 9. Stephen Peterman, offensive line Peterman began his LSU career on the defensive side of the ball, but made the switch to offense in 2002. That paid off for the Tigers as Peterman became one of the best offensive linemen in the SEC. He was First-Team All-SEC in 2002. In 2003, Peterman was one of the best guards in the country. The athletic tools that allowed him to play defense and tight end in high school let him thrive on the interior offensive line. Peterman was named First-Team All-American by Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and Sporting News. 8. Andrew Whitworth, offensive line Whitworth arrived at LSU in 2001 and took a redshirt. But it didn't take long for Whitworth to carve out a role as a redshirt freshman. He earned a starting tackle job in 2002 and was named First-Team Freshman All-American. In 2003, he was a key cog on LSU's national title-winning offensive line. The recognition continued to roll in 2004, when Whitworth earned First-Team All-SEC honors. Whitworth played one year under Les Miles in 2005, earning Second-Team All-American recognition from the Walter Camp Foundation. 7. Ben Wilkerson, offensive line Wilkerson arrived at LSU in 2001 and won the center job as a true freshman. The Sporting News named Wilkerson a Second-Team Freshman All-American. In 2003, Wilkerson took it up a notch and became one of the best offensive linemen in the country. The AP placed Wilkerson on their Second-Team All-American squad as Wilkerson led LSU's offensive line to a national title. He was First-Team All-SEC, too. In 2004, Wilkerson capped off his LSU career by winning the Rimington Award, annually given to the top center in the country. 6. Chad Lavalais, defensive line Lavalais has a strong case to be higher on this list, especially after you glance at his resume. In 2003, Lavalais was named the National Defensive Player of the Year by Sporting News and was a finalist for the Nagurski Award and the Outland Trophy. Simply put, he was one of the best defenders in the country. He racked up 61 tackles, with 16 being tackles for a loss. Lavalais got after the passer too, with seven sacks on LSU's national title campaign. Before Lavalais' massive breakout in 2003, he was still a First-Team All-SEC defensive tackle in 2002. In 2000, he was a Third-Team Freshman All-American, per Sporting News. 5. Michael Clayton, wide receiver With 182 catches in his career, Clayton ranks No. 3 in LSU history. He burst on the scene as a freshman in 2001, averaging 16.0 yards per catch and racking up 754 yards, despite sharing targets with Josh Reed. Clayton was the leading receiver on LSU's BCS Championship team in 2003, surpassing 1,000 yards and hauling in 78 passes. He scored double-digit touchdowns, too. To this day, Clayton remains one of the most talented wide receivers to wear an LSU uniform. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked Clayton with the No. 15 overall pick in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. 4. Bradie James, linebacker Bradie James' 2002 season remains one of the best we've ever seen from an LSU defender. James set a program single-season record with 154 tackles. That record stands today. With James leading the unit, LSU's defense was one of the nation's best. James was a four-year contributor at LSU, playing three under Saban. His 418 career tackles sit second in program history, only behind Al Richardson. James earned All-SEC honors in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Only a select few LSU athletes have earned all-conference honors in three separate seasons. James' final year with LSU was 2002, but he helped set the tone for a defense that would go on to win a national title the next year. 3. Corey Webster, cornerback LSU made a habit of producing elite defensive backs in the 2000s and 2010s. Wesbter was one of the first and most decorated in the pipeline. Webster earned First-Team All-American twice in 2003 and 2004. He was a three-time All-SEC defensive back. With 16 career picks, Webster ranks No. 2 in LSU history. As a member of LSU's national title team in 2003, Webster picked off seven passes and broke up 25 passes. He played a pivotal role in LSU's title win, picking off a pass which led to LSU's first touchdown of the game. 2. Marcus Spears, defensive line Spears was a difference maker. Few defenders had his combination of size and speed. Those tools led to Spears being a first-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft after he earned consensus All-American honors in 2004. Spears was First-Team All-SEC twice and racked up 19 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss in his LSU career. Spears was a member of the 2003 national championship squad. His career highlight came in LSU's title-game victory over Oklahoma, where Spears picked off a pass and returned it 20 yards for a score. That play is remembered as one of the most important in LSU history. 1. Josh Reed, wide receiver Until Malik Nabers broke records in 2023, Josh Reed was the most productive wide receiver in LSU history. A lot of great pass catchers came through LSU under Les Miles and Ed Orgeron, but it took 20 years to unseat Reed at the top of LSU's receiving record books. Reed won the Biletnikoff in 2001, annually given to the best wide receiver in college football. He was a consensus All-American that season, racking up 1,740 receiving yards, which was an SEC record at the time. In 2000, Reed caught 65 passes for 1,127 yards and 10 touchdowns. His two-year run from 2000-01 is one of the best stretches in LSU history -- regardless of position. Reed finished his LSU career with 3.064 total yards and 18 total scores.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Which Tigers were named to the 2025 preseason All-SEC team?
See which Auburn Tigers earned a place within the preseason All-SEC squad following another successful SEC football media days. Another SEC football media days has passed, meaning that the new college football season is on the horizon. At the conclusion of SEC football media days at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia, the media in attendance voted for the top players in the conference, where two Auburn Tigers made the list. Sophomore wide receiver Cam Coleman and junior defensive lineman Keldric Faulk were named to the preseason All-SEC first team, while transfer wide receiver Eric Singleton and placekicker Alex McPherson earned third-team honors. Faulk was one of Auburn's three representatives at SEC football media days this week, making his second appearance at the event. Faulk recorded 45 tackles last season, with 11 being registered for a loss. Not only is he receiving first-round chatter this preseason, but he is also viewed as one of the team's leaders heading into the 2025 season. Faulk shared his thoughts on his role as a leader during Auburn's time at the podium this week. "It means my team has a lot of faith in me and a lot of faith in how I approach the game, how I lead them and just how much energy I bring to each and every person on that team. I make sure that everybody is up to beat, everybody is ready to work, and make sure we have a very productive game because we can't lose not one of them." Coleman recorded 37 catches for 598 yards and eight touchdowns as a true freshman last season and is expected to have another breakout season. He joins fellow rising sophomore Ryan Williams from Alabama on the first team ahead of another competitive season. Eric Singleton earns third team honors thanks to an impressive resume he brings to Auburn from Georgia Tech, where he led the Yellow Jackets in receiving in his first two years on the Flats. To close Auburn's representation, Alex McPherson makes the third team ahead of a bounce back year. Auburn begins the season on Friday, August 29, at Baylor. The season-opener from Waco, Texas, will start at 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on FOX. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk at SEC football media days: 'Coach (Freeze) deserves this job.'
The Auburn EDGE rusher says that the team needs to show positive results on the field this season. Tuesday is Auburn's day at SEC football media days in Atlanta, where the likes of EDGE rusher Keldric Faulk, quarterback Jackson Arnold, and center Connor Lew will join head coach Hugh Freeze in fielding questions from the media ahead of the 2025 football season. As expected, Freeze's job security is one of the many topics that the quartet has been asked about, with Faulk taking the first one. Before Freeze took the main stage at SEC Media Days, Faulk was asked about the hot seat rumors surrounding Freeze, and if it has an effect on him and the rest of the Tigers' roster. 'I do take that personally," Faulk said via Nathan King of Auburn Undercover. "Coach (Freeze) deserves this job. So now it's up to us to go out there and execute.' Faulk, Lew, and a majority of Auburn's projected starters were a part of Freeze's early signing classes and have made quick impacts on the field. However, Auburn has yet to produce a winning record in two years under Freeze, losing seven games each season. However, things could change this season. Not only is Auburn poised to have a quality passing game, but the Tigers' defense could also take a giant step forward. "We should, at the end of the year, be the best defense in the country," Faulk said. Faulk, Lew, Arnold, and Freeze will continue to field questions throughout the day at SEC football media days. Check back throughout the day for the latest coverage from Auburn's time in Atlanta. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
New York Times
15-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Dane Brugler's 2026 NFL Draft summer positional rankings: Edge rushers
Based on summer scouting, edge rusher should be one of the stronger positions in the 2026 NFL Draft, including a few standouts at the top who might finish among the top non-quarterbacks in the class. While I feel great about the seven edge prospects profiled below, numerous other candidates belong in the conversation. Can Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. return to his freshman-year impact? Is Kenyatta Jackson Jr. the next top-50 pass rush prospect from Ohio State? The list goes on and on, which speaks to the high-end talent and overall depth of this group. (Notes: An asterisk represents a draft-eligible underclassman. Listed heights and weights are what NFL teams have on file for each player, with 'v' representing verified measurements and 'e' for estimates.) Advertisement Not only does he look the part, but also Faulk plays the part using his length and the power in his hands. Regardless of his alignment, he consistently detaches in the run game with an efficient ability to stack, shed and finish. Although he is more advanced as a run defender, Faulk also uses his strength to create knock-back and affect the pocket as a pass rusher (45 pressures and seven sacks in 2024). He plays both gap sound and violent to control the point of attack and dispose of blockers. Against Cal last year, Faulk owned the trenches and frequently introduced himself to quarterback Fernando Mendoza and running back Jaydn Ott. Faulk can get away with being 'bigger, faster, stronger' (even against SEC competition), but the next step in his development is to create more diversity when setting up his pass rush. As he enters his third year at the college level, I hope to see an expanded arsenal with the corresponding punctuality to maximize his efficiency. Faulk is one of the best draft-eligible prospects I have studied so far this summer. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Mykel Williams — he's long, physical, athletic and also happens to be one of the youngest players in the upcoming draft class (Faulk won't turn 20 until Sept. 7). However, I think Faulk has shown better consistency and overall versatility through two college seasons than Williams had. It hasn't mattered if he's lined up as the nose, wide nine or any technique in between, Faulk has been productive. My initial 2026 NFL Draft top 50 board won't be released until August, but I feel safe saying Faulk will be very highly ranked, likely in the top 10. His traits are outstanding, and I'm excited to see him this fall. Advertisement With his ability to win using both speed and power, Parker can dominate as a pass rusher. Whether he is mixing in a long-arm move or a physical swipe/chop, he uses his body well to leverage or wrap around blocks. And once he clears a blocker's outside shoulder, Parker is quick to flatten and close on the quarterback. He was an absolute menace against Pitt last season. Here are three clips (all sacks), which help illustrate his ability to carve up the corner and accelerate to the ball. The motor Parker shows as a pass rusher also translates to the run game — he will chase the ball all day. However, he can be pinned at times by offensive tackles or tight ends on the edge, especially on outside runs. Parker is a solid run defender, but he can get caught with his eyes in the wrong spot and needs to do a better job anticipating angle blocks. Parker has been a stud since he arrived at Clemson. After his Freshman All-America season in 2023, he followed up with 19.5 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks and a school-record six forced fumbles as a sophomore. I was hoping to see him have more of an impact against Texas, the biggest game of his 2024 season. While his overall consistency needs to be better, he plays with a ton of energy and can continue to unlock his talent as he becomes a technician. The Clemson defense is well-stocked with NFL talent for the 2026 draft class, and that starts with Parker, who is on the path to becoming a top-15 pick. Overton has been more flash than consistent in college, but he teases exciting potential. He moves with impressive quickness, bend and body coordination for his size and competes with passion. If he takes a jump in his development in 2025 and becomes the sum of his parts, he has SEC Defensive Player of the Year potential. Advertisement Overton weighed in the 274-278-pound range last season but can get up to 290 if needed, which would expand his role as an interior player. This rep against South Carolina (a ridiculous play by QB LaNorris Sellers) showcases Overton's exciting ability to win gaps at the line of scrimmage. Though his ability is outstanding, Overton needs to mature his technique and play stronger to be a more consistent performer, especially as a pass rusher. With only two sacks and three tackles for loss last season, he didn't overwhelm with stat sheet production. NFL teams covet pass rush value, so to maximize his draft grade and NFL impact, Overton needs to take a jump in his second year as a starter. A consensus five-star recruit out of high school, Overton was one of the top prep players in Georgia and chose Texas A&M over his home state Bulldogs. He was part of a headline-grabbing class for the Aggies, which also included fellow five-stars Walter Nolen and Shemar Stewart, both first-round picks in April. Overton, one of the youngest seniors in the 2026 draft class (will turn 21 in October), spent two years in College Station before transferring to Alabama, where he came off the bench last season as a key part of the defensive line rotation. Overton ranked No. 4 among edge rushers (and as the No. 1 senior edge rusher) because his flashes have been better than his body of work. His summer grades from NFL teams are more in the Day 2 range, but he has the talent to cement himself in the first round if he puts better down-to-down consistency on his 2025 tape. Looking over my notes from the six Oregon games I studied last season, the word 'effort' appeared under Uiagalelei's name double-digit times. His motor is nonstop; he won't take plays off, but I was more impressed with the relentless physicality of his play style. Whether taking on pullers or forcing his way through contact, Uiagalelei consistently makes his presence known on each snap. Uiagalelei rushes with a potent mix of power and flexibility, allowing him to thud blockers or access the corner. He is an athletic player (at around 270 pounds), but his initial burst tends to be inconsistent. Although he will probably never be an elite get-off type of rusher, Uiagalelei can improve his timing and first-step quickness to make him an even more dangerous edge rusher (even if that means dropping some weight). Advertisement The Oregon defensive front was loaded last season, with three starters who became top-100 draft picks (Derrick Harmon, Jordan Burch and Jamaree Caldwell). Uiagalelei was the fourth starter, and he has a shot to be the highest-drafted of the group. The younger brother of former top quarterback recruit DJ Uiagalelei, Matayo, was highly recruited himself and hasn't disappointed (10.5 sacks last season). With his well-rounded skill set, Uiagalelei reminds me of JT Tuimoloau, who led the Big Ten in sacks in 2024 and was a 2025 second-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts. Neither player wows with their get-off, but both are agile and play with polish, physicality and strength. It is easy to envision Uiagalelei becoming a solid pro. Especially when lined up as a wide nine, Bailey is the type of speed rusher who can stress offensive tackles on an island using his arc acceleration and rush balance. Not only will he go around blockers, but also he can also convert that speed to power and put blockers in reverse. The Stanford transfer forces blockers to be perfect with their feet and timing, and he continued to add moves to his bag of tricks. This ghost dip-and-rip rush against San Jose State looks like vintage TJ Watt. After a quick get-off, Bailey flashes that inside hand before taking it away and dipping underneath the blocker's reach. The move execution and beautiful finish result in a strip sack. With only two starts last season, Bailey averaged just 30 defensive snaps per game. He battled an injury midseason that contributed to his lower snap count, but the scheme also used him primarily as a pass rusher, which is what he does best. Scouts are hoping to see a more expanded role for him with the Red Raiders so he can prove himself as an every-down edge presence. Highly recruited out of Mater Dei (Calif.) High, Bailey was a Freshman All-American at Stanford. He then led the team in sacks and tackles for loss as both a sophomore and junior despite not being a regular starter. He also tallied five forced fumbles in 2024, the fourth most in the FBS. Amid a coaching change this offseason, Bailey jumped into the transfer portal and landed at Texas Tech as one of the most impactful spring signings. With his bend, power and explosiveness off the edge, Bailey has the pass rush juice to have a Nik Bonitto-like impact in the NFL. He is one of the top senior defensive prospects I have studied this summer. Advertisement Young is a 'first off the bus' kind of player. He has broad shoulders, long arms and definition throughout his frame, and his on-field play matches his body type. Against the run, Young has outstanding hands and controls the point of attack with his length. Edge setters with his size, athleticism and strength can have decade-long careers in the NFL. With his length and power, Young can push his way to the pocket as a bull rusher. However, he is inconsistent at the top of his rush and doesn't threaten the corner with his quickness. Though he has some speed when chasing in the run game, Young needs to set up his pass rush plan better because he won't win with edge speed alone. A former three-star recruit from the Atlanta area, Young began his college career at Michigan State, where he became a starter as a freshman. (He was one of seven Spartans charged with misdemeanor assault after a postgame incident in the Michigan Stadium tunnel following a 2022 game.) After Michigan State fired Mel Tucker, Young entered the portal and transferred to Missouri before the 2024 season. Although the stat sheet production has been modest (5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 2024), Young is built like an NFL player and his best football is still ahead of him. Scouts are optimistic he can follow a similar path to that of former Missouri edge defender Darius Robinson and become a top-60 pick with continued development as a senior. With his first-step burst and ability to gain ground in a blink, Thomas flashes the explosive twitch to stress blockers and access the pocket. Once at the top of his rush, he can bend or attack from a low position to create a leveraged push into contact. Former LSU left tackle Will Campbell gave up two sacks combined over his sophomore and junior seasons. This rep against Thomas was one of them. Though his backfield production jumps off the page, Thomas managed just 23 tackles last season, a number that reflects some of his issues as a run defender. He flashes feisty power to set the edge for a speed-based player, and his violence jumps out on film. However, Thomas can do a better job pressing off contact at the point of attack and working around roadblocks to create issues in the run game. Advertisement Despite having a wildly inconsistent defense last season, Oklahoma boasted several well-established prospects, including linebacker Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman (both fourth-round picks in April). However, Thomas was the top draft-eligible prospect on Oklahoma's defense and led the team in both tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (9.0). He would have been a top-100 pick in 2025 but elected to return for his senior year. With a short, compact frame and limited length, Thomas won't be an ideal fit for every scheme. However, because of his explosiveness off the line, Thomas has cornering skills to finish at the top of his rush and affect the pocket, which could keep him on an NFL field for a long time. 1. Overton 2. Bailey 3. Young 4. Thomas 5. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State (6-5 5/8, 265) 6. Derrick Moore, Michigan (6-3 3/8, 265) 7. Gabe Jacas, Illinois (6-3, 279) 8. Joshua Josephs, Tennessee (6-2 5/8, 237) 9. Max Llewellyn, Iowa (6-5 1/8, 260) 10. Trey Moore, Texas (6-1 1/2, 246) 11. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (6-2 1/8, 249) 12. Patrick Payton, LSU (6-4 5/8, 252) 13. Tyreak Sapp, Florida (6-2 1/8, 267) 14. Anthony Lucas, USC (6-5 1/4, 279) 15. Romello Height, Texas Tech (6-2 1/4, 228) 16. Jack Pyburn, LSU (6-2, 262) 17. Tre Smith, Arizona (6-4 1/8, 253) 18. Keyron Crawford, Auburn (6-3 3/4, 249) 19. Mikail Kamara, Indiana (6-0 1/2, 260) 20. Dean Miller, Kansas (6-5, 227) 21. Eric O'Neill, Rutgers (6-2 1/2, 257) 22. Mo Westmoreland, Tulane (6-0 7/8, 262) 23. Marvin Jones Jr., Oklahoma (6-4 1/4, 260) 24. Aidan Hubbard, Northwestern (6-4, 259) 25. Caden Curry, Ohio State (6-2 1/8, 255) 26. Ethan Burke, Texas (6-6 1/8, 260) 27. Roy Williams, Northern Illinois (6-5 1/2, 252) 28. TJ Guy, Michigan (6-3 1/8, 249) 29. Nyjalik Kelly, UCF (6-4 3/4, 248) 30. Corey Walker, Wisconsin (6-5 5/8, 291) 1. Faulk 2. Parker 3. Uiagalelei 4. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (6-3, 275) 5. Kenyatta Jackson, Ohio State (6-6, 260) 6. Anto Saka, Northwestern (6-4, 250) 7. Anthony Smith, Minnesota (6-6, 285) 8. Will Heldt, Clemson (6-6, 265) 9. Boubacar Traore, Notre Dame (6-4, 245) 10. Beau Atkinson, Ohio State (6-6, 265) 11. Damon Wilson II, Missouri (6-4, 250) 12. Wesley Williams, Duke (6-3, 265) 13. Samuel Okunlola, Colorado (6-4, 250) 14. Elo Modozie, Georgia (6-3, 245) 15. James Williams, Florida State (6-6, 240) (Top photo of LT Overton: Jason Clark / Getty Images)
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Auburn football DL Malik Autry among top-rated freshmen in College Football 26
Autry and Faulk on the same defensive line? Auburn's defense will be fun to play with EA Sports' latest college football game Many video game players have spent the last week playing the new video game release from EA Sports, College Football 26. The second game in the revived series has updated plenty of features, which includes a new soundtrack provided by the Auburn University Marching Band. Locally, many Auburn fans are beginning dynasty mode with their favorite team in hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff. Over the last week, ratings of players in the game have been released, and Auburn freshman has the chance to make a name for himself in the game. Freshman defensive lineman Malik Autry is among the highest-rated freshmen in the game according to a list complied by On3, where he will begin the season at 81 overall. Autry's high rating for a freshman ensures that Auburn will have one of the best defensive fronts in the new video game. The Opelika native is paired with Keldric Faulk, who is one of the game's highest-rated players at 93 overall. It is hard to determine what Autry's strengths are at this point, as he has yet to play a college snap. However, 247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins gives us a preview of what to expect. Has overwhelmed opponents not only with his sheer mass, but also his get-off as he's quick to fire out of his stance and engage with active, heavy hands. Frequently makes double teams work and will collapse run lanes by creating momentum with his leg drive. Not one that has a bunch of quarterback sacks or pressures on the highlight reel, but has proven to be effective on inside games as he jars forward and pushes protection. Autry is one of several Auburn players to receive a respectable grade in the new EA Sports release. Faulk, along with wide receiver Eric Singleton, have ratings of 93 and 92, respectively, while several others, including Cam Coleman, Damari Alston, and Kaleb Harris, have ratings in the 80s. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
