Spring practice is underway at Auburn, and it's time to preview another position group ahead of A-Day, which will take place on Saturday, April 12 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The next position groups we will examine in our spring breakdown series are the defensive ends and bucks. The most notable departure from last season's Buck group is Jalen McLeod, who logged 105 tackles with 13.5 sacks over his final two seasons as a collegiate athlete. Auburn added several true defensive ends from high school recruiting, four-stars Jared Smith and Antonio Coleman, to join sophomore Amaris Williams to form a quality edge rush.
A key returner to the Buck position, Keyron Crawford, says that he feels much more comfortable this spring after transferring to Auburn from Arkansas State during the spring transfer portal window last season.
“It’s just a different approach because I know the defense a little better. I know the things I have to improve on and the things like I have to do to become a leader in this team," Crawford said. "We’re a young team right now. I know the guys that’s looking up to me, I gotta be a better role model than that. So this is a pretty big role for me.”
Here is a look at what the Auburn defensive end and buck room looks like as spring practice continues on the Plains.
Buck
No. 3 Chris Murray
- 2024 stats (Sam Houston State):13 games played,35 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
- Career stats:22 games played (two seasons), 50 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 1 pass deflection, 2 forced fumbles
Murray steps into a Power Four program after a successful two-season career at Sam Houston State. In his first full season as a starter in 2024, Murray logged 33 pressures and missed just five tackles.
No. 11 Jamonta Waller
- 2024 stats:2 games played, 2 total tackles
- Career stats:Same
Redshirt freshman Jamonta Waller had the potential to see the field more in 2024. However, he suffered a foot injury in October that required season-ending surgery. Expect Waller to use this spring to bounce back and compete for more play time.
No. 24 Keyron Crawford
- 2024 stats:12 games played, 22 tackles, 1 TFL
- Career stats:35 games played (3 years), 80 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass breakups
Crawford bounced around the linebacker position last season, where he logged 22 tackles in his first season on the Plains after transferring in from Arkansas State. He recorded a season-high five tackles in Auburn's 4OT win over Texas A&M and logged four pressures in three games.
No. 31 Joe Phillips
- 2024 stats:2 games played, 0 tackles, 0 TFL, 0 forced fumbles, 0 sacks
- Career stats:Same
Phillips signed with Auburn as a four-star linebacker from the 2024 cycle, where he was the No. 10 overall recruit from Alabama. He played in two games last season and looks to add more games to his belt in 2025.
