Hugh Freeze noted in December that Auburn football would focus on “big men” in the transfer portal. He kept delivering on his promise Thursday.

Justin Rogers, a defensive tackle that’s spent his career at Kentucky, announced his transfer to the Plains via social media. The Tigers confirmed the signing shortly after. He is Auburn’s fourth transfer defensive lineman and 31st new player expected to join the roster for Freeze’s first season.

“Now it’s time for me to open a new chapter,” Rogers tweeted with his decision. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Rogers, listed at 6-foot-3, 332-pounds, appeared in all 26 games this fall for the Wildcats the last two seasons, recording 35 total tackles, and 1.5 tackles for loss as a senior. He started four games in 2021 after being a rotational piece as a freshman. On Nov. 21, 2020, Rogers made three tackles against Alabama, tying a career-high.

Before reaching Lexington, Rogers was one of the top prospects in the country out of Oak (Mich.) Park. 247Spoorts Composite ranked Rogers as the No. 52 player in the country and the seventh-best defensive tackle. LSU and Alabama, where Rogers was set to visit this weekend, were also in the mix for Rogers’s skillset. Instead, defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett added a depth piece to Auburn’s revamped defensive front.

Along with transfers Lawrence Johnson (Purdue), Mosiah Nasili-Kite (Maryland) and Elijah McAllister (Vanderbilt), Auburn will have six new scholarship defensive tackles or edge rushers with at least some collegiate experience. Freeze and co. have scoured the country for portal targets, with Rogers being the third signee from a Southeastern Conference program.

With the signing, Auburn inched closer to the top three of 247Sports 2023 transfer rankings, behind Florida State, Colorado and Southern California. The Tigers extended their lead over LSU for best transfer class in the SEC.

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