Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts knew replacing All-SEC EDGE Derick Hall, team captain linebacker Owen Pappoe, EDGE Eku Leota, defensive line Colby Wooden, and several others would be a tough challenge for the program.

Freeze and Roberts also were aware that solely signing high school players wouldn’t be nearly enough. The Tigers needed to improve on a run defense that was 97th in yards allowed (172.6 yards per game) and 105th at 4.64 yards per carry.

Former head coach Bryan Harsin often talked about establishing the run on offense and being a physical defense that can stop the run. Auburn’s results didn’t reflect Harsin’s emphasis in the run game.

Read More Auburn Football: Auburn sets date for 2023 A-Day spring game

Hugh Freeze makes it a dozen transfers added, signs SEC linebacker

Breaking down Auburn’s additions, losses and remaining needs after 1st transfer window closes

If Freeze wants a longer tenure than Harsin’s 19 games, it’ll start with stopping the run. Here’s a look at the players Freeze and Roberts are hoping can help the Tigers in the 2023 season.

Austin Keys LB 6′2 245 Ole Miss

Keys had 35 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks last season at Ole Miss. He started in five games and played 13 for the Rebels. He racked up 51 tackles from 2020-22 and played in 23 games. The Tigers needed an experienced linebacker with Pappoe leaving for the National Football League draft. Keys has an opportunity to play an impact role.

Quientrail Jamison-Travis DL 6′4 280 Iowa Western

Jamison-Travis is Iowa’s top-rated junior college prospect and America’s No. 3 juco defensive lineman prospect. He was part of a national championship-winning program at Iowa Western. He tallied 45 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks last season, and in 2021 posted 45 tackles, 6.5 TFL, and 2.0 sacks. Freeze told reporters that winning in the trenches is a primary focus. Keeping Jamison-Travis, who was initially recruited by Harsin’s staff, was a priority.

Justin Rodgers DL 6′3 332 Kentucky

Rodgers had 35 tackles last season at Kentucky. He has played in 33 games with 60 tackles, three sacks, and five tackles for loss for the Wildcats. Several recruiting sites considered Rodgers as one of the best available defensive linemen in the portal.

Mosiah Nasili-Kite DL 6′2 320 Maryland

Nasili-Kite comes to Auburn as a grad transfer. He played three seasons at Maryland after transferring from Independence Community College. He totaled 83 tackles, nine sacks, and 13.5 while playing for the Terrapins.

Elijah McAllister EDGE 6′6 265 Vanderbilt

McAllister had 65 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and forced three fumbles during 36 games over five seasons for the Commodores. He’s a former team captain who has 12 starts. He’ll add to a position group seeking depth with the losses of Hall and Leota.

Lawrence Johnson DT 6′3 310 Purdue

Johnson had 29 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble last season while starting in all 13 games for the Boilermakers. The grad transfer is a three-year starter with 88 tackles, 7.5 TFL, and 2.5 sacks in 46 games at Purdue.

DeMario Tolan 6′2 222 LSU

Tolan had 10 tackles as a freshman in 12 games last season for LSU. He was a four-star recruit in the 2022 class, and several recruiting sites had him a four-star portal athlete. Getting a youngster like Tolan is good for Freeze and Roberts for next season and beyond.