Making The Case: Auburn linebackers

Auburn football's linebacker room is set to leap from last season with the addition of Austin Keys and Larry Nixon III.

Shel Hickman | Aug 29, 2023

Making The Case: Auburn linebackers /

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Auburn Tigers

The linebacker room for the Auburn Tigers has many question marks surrounding it. A new defensive coordinator, a new linebackers coach, and some new faces added from the transfer portal could set up a huge jump in this positional group from last season. Let’s look at who could be starting at linebacker this fall.

Austin Keys

Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys stands at 6-foot-2, 233 pounds. Keys is a solid, prototypical Middle Linebacker who has had a great fall camp. The physicality he brings to the position was missing from last year’s linebacker room. Auburn’s rush defense was 97th nationally, giving up 172.6 rushing yards per game. I expect that number to go down with the addition of Keys at LB. Not only can he stuff the run, but he can also go out into coverage. Barring any injury, I expect Austin Keys to be slated as a starter.

Cam Riley

At 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, there’s no doubt that Cam Riley has the frame to be a great player in this defense. Riley was a very productive player for the Auburn Tigers last season, with the second most tackles (64) on the team. He has had a quiet offseason, but the SEC experience and his frame set him up to be a productive and effective player for Ron Roberts's defense.

Eugene Asante

Eugene Asante has been ascending this fall camp. Asante has gotten the attention and love of the Auburn fan base with his new catchphrase, “LET’S WORK!”. He did not see a lot of the field last year, but he has been making some noise as we approach the upcoming season. His energetic style of play matches his personality. Should he find his way onto the field, you can expect to see speed and an ability to lower the shoulder.

Robert Woodyard

Woodyard has the physical traits to find playing time in this defense. He hardly saw snaps in 2022, but his ability to stop the run and fill gaps may give him more chances this season. His name has shuffled around this offseason, and he appears to be in the mix. If he finds a way to slow the game down, Woodyard can play a substantial role in this defense.

Larry Nixon III

Larry Nixon III, a transfer from North Texas, was an addition made after spring practice. His addition to the linebacker room is one of the best pick-ups of Auburn’s transfer portal class. He brings in a ton of experience and snaps played. He ended his career at North Texas with 246 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. While the level of play in the C-USA isn’t quite on the level of the SEC, he knows how to play his position and has the proof to back it up. He has been slated as a starter throughout fall camp, and we will have to see where he shows up on game day.

Wesley Steiner

Wesley has had his ups and downs during his time with the Tigers. He is one of the more experienced players in the room and has been labeled a leader by his teammates. Despite inconsistency, Steiner can be a breakout player this season and take control of the defense. He has all the measurables and knowledge to lead the linebacker room but has not been the best when it comes to tackling. Once Steiner puts it all together, I don’t doubt that he can be an effective and important player for the Auburn Tigers.

Even with all the uncertainty surrounding this position, the linebacker room could win the “Most Improved” award for position groups. We will have to see how the rest of fall camp shakes out, but we are getting very close to a pair of starting linebackers jogging out onto the field this fall.