Auburn Linebacker Discusses Culture, Front Seven Playmaker

Auburn's defense is adding a very experienced player from the Transfer Portal

After playing in 44 games at Duke, the Auburn defense is gaining one of the most experienced players in college football.

Dorian Mausi, Jr. is playing both inside linebacker spots for the Tigers this spring, and he's also taking notice of what's all around him. He's excited about the energy Auburn's linebackers possess, and one edge defender in particular.

"That 35," he said of Jalen McCleod. "Right there on the edge. He's a guy that shows relentless effort every time. That's one of our mottos every day in the team room. Constantly, every day, he's showing up on the effort tape.

"Being one of those guys that's going to show effort. He's going to push us all, and I'm happy to be playing with him come the fall."

McCleod is not alone in setting standard for the Tigers either.

"It kind of inspires you, the young guys, everybody around you, to want to build. It sets an example. That's one of the things I was happy to see when I got here. 

"That it's not something that is being built from scratch. It's a culture. It's a belief. All of that is already here that we're all just jumping on each other's backs and just playing with it."