Austin Keys became Auburn’s 12th transfer and second linebacker from a Southeastern Conference program. The three-star announced his decision on Instagram on Saturday night.

Of the dozen players Hugh Freeze has pulled in via the portal, Keys is the sixth defender. After the Tigers’ new head coach claimed the roster was in need of an overhaul on signing day, the quick work of his new staff is creating a blueprint for the 2023 season.

Keys entered the portal on Jan. 6. and will be a redshirt junior next season. He’s listed at 6-foot-2, 245 pounds and was a four-star out of Seminary (Miss.) High. In 23 games, Keys has recorded 51 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and a recovery. Against Auburn on Oct. 15, he made three stops.

With LSU transfer DeMario Tolan, Auburn will have 10 scholarship linebackers and depth to help the unit improve from the 29.5 points per game the defense allowed. Edge rusher Elijah McAllister also transferred in from Vanderbilt.

Freeze was active in his last few weeks ahead of the December high school signing period. The Tigers pulled in key flips on the defensive side of the ball like Keldric Faulk from Florida State and Kayin Lee from Ohio State. The new staff overhauled the offensive line with three additions from other colleges.

The Tigers 2023 recruiting class is listed at 18th overall on the 247Sports Composite team rankings. The transfer group is ranked fourth in the country.

MORE Tigers football: Hugh Freeze adds Group of 5 assistant to Auburn support staff

Alabama, Auburn prep for class of 2024 with weekend junior visits

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].