Auburn football made a late addition to the 2025 roster this summer, signing former five-star safety Jacoby Mathews in early July.

The signing came after Mathews spent a year in junior college focusing on his academics, following a two-year stint at Texas A&M. Mathews entered the transfer portal in April 2024, but never landed at another Division I school.

His departure from Texas A&M came during the offseason in which head coach Mike Elko was hired. Elko was asked about Mathews’ A&M departure at SEC Media Days on Thursday, but said he “didn’t have much interaction” with Mathews during that offseason.

Elko was part of Mathews’ recruitment during his stint as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator, but was at Duke during Mathews’ two full seasons in College Station.

“Really good kid, really good family, and certainly wish him nothing but the best at Auburn,” Elko said.

After Auburn signed Mathews, head coach Hugh Freeze said the safety “did not receive the blessing that he had at his previous school,” but learned from the experience. While mentioning Mathews’ past and departure from A&M, Freeze acknowledged his talent.

“Talent-wise the guy’s a five-star talent,” Freeze said. “Obviously, he did not own up to the responsibilities you have and the accountability that you should have. We had some great heart-to-hearts. I believe with all my heart that he understands this is his last chance.”

Auburn is set to begin fall camp on July 29. The Tigers will open the 2025 season exactly one month later on Aug. 29 with a road game against Baylor.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m