Auburn football shocked the transfer landscape signing former Texas A&M safety Jacoby Mathews.

After playing in 21 games with the Aggies, Mathews totaled 66 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception. Following the 2023 season, Matthews left the A&M program, spending last season in junior college.

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

“And he didn’t do anything — he just did not receive the blessing that he had at his previous school, and I think he’s learned a lesson and adding another elite safety to that group is beneficial to us. We’re excited to give him a chance.”

Mathews enters a loaded position group with six other safeties on the roster. Entering fall camp, he has the most career snaps logged in the Auburn safety room despite missing 2024.

In 2023 he received a coverage grade of 80.8 per PFF. He also finished with a 38.2 NFL QBR allowed when targeted that same season.

Ranked as the safety in the class of 2022, Mathews is set to reunite with Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, who also coached him at Texas A&M.

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports forAL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3or email him at [email protected].