Defensive tackle Zykeivous Walker is no longer part of Auburn’s football team.

The junior from Ellaville, Ga., was removed from Auburn’s official roster this week as the team is set to return from its bye week and set off for the back end of its schedule. Walker appeared in just one game this season, seeing the field during Auburn’s drubbing at the hands of rival Georgia on Oct. 8 in Athens, Ga., and had not been listed on the Tigers’ two-deep, as the team relied on a shorter rotation along the defensive line.

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A 6-foot-4, 304-pounder, Walker signed with Auburn as a four-star recruit in the 2020 class. He was a top-100 prospect nationally, ranked 79th overall coming out of Schley County High, and was regarded as the third-best defensive end in the country and 11th-best recruit from Georgia during that recruiting cycle.

Although he drew some early comparisons to former Auburn star defensive linemen Marlon Davidson and Derrick Brown when he signed with Auburn in December 2019, Walker’s potential was never fully realized during his time on the Plains. He appeared in 21 games over the last three seasons, with one start, and totaled 20 tackles, with 2.5 for a loss and one sack.

He missed some time last season due to an arm injury, and he was sidelined at the start of this season after a minor knee procedure during the preseason. When asked before the Georgia game bout Walker’s role along the defensive line, Auburn coach Bryan Harsin said the team wanted to get him more reps but noted Walker was dealing with some family matters that affected his availability.

“He’s had a few personal things, not in a bad way, but he’s had a few personal things to take care of,” Harsin said Oct. 3. “That has impacted some playing time as well.”

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.