After finishing with a top 20 defense last season, Auburn football kept majority of its core and got younger in the process.

On its defensive line depth chart, the Tigers have 13 players battling for spots at the position. Keldric Faulk, Malik Blocton and Quientrail Jamison-Travis are the three returning starters in that group.

The Tigers have also added more experience from the transfer portal signing Dallas Walker IV, Jay Hardy, and James Ash.

However, Auburn’s top 10 recruiting haul last year was headlined by four highly touted prospects in that same position.

Four-star Jourdin Crawford, five-star Malik Autry, five-star Jared Smith and Darrion Smith all saw snaps during the spring practice period.

So, how does Auburn coach Hugh Freeze plan to balance out this busy and active rotation heading into fall camp?

First it starts with assessing his talented freshmen.

“Jourdin Crawford strength and explosives is special, and he’s very difficult to handle. And we’ve got a really good center in Connor Lew, and Jourdin is a handful. And I was telling people earlier; I really like the depth of our interior,” Freeze said at SEC media days.

“Do we have the guy that has already put up the enormous stats in this league? No, but I think we really are six deep there.”

Crawford, a 6-foot-1, 330-pound run stopper, has not only impressed his coaches but has earned the respect from his teammates.

“Just being out in the spring, I really didn’t get a chance to go one-on-one against him. But watching the film and stuff I think he’s going to be really good for us especially as a freshman,” Connor Lew said at media days.

“He’s really strong. I think that’s the biggest thing that sticks out for him. I’m excited to see how he develops. I’m sure he’ll get his opportunity at some point.”

Aside from Crawford, Freeze lauded praise on other players in that group.

“Malik Blockton can be really special as a young kid and Malik Autry, but they’re just young,” Freeze added.

With all the depth at this position, Freeze also broke down what he’s looking for out of each player to when their number is called to play.

“We were able to bring in a few older guys that have experience, too, that men that are really going to have to buy into the program,” Freeze said.

“Men that will give us 15 to 20 plays and get it done. Those that buy into that kind of rotation will play this year.”

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports forAL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3or email him at [email protected].