With Keyron Crawford, Auburn lands third transfer commit in 24 hours

A full overhaul of Auburn’s defensive front continued Monday with the signing of Keyron Crawford, Auburn’s third addition on the defensive line out of the transfer portal in 24 hours.

Crawford has two remaining years of eligibility coming to Auburn from Arkansas State.

Crawford joins interior defensive lineman Philip Blidi from Indiana and Isaiah Raikes from USC out of the transfer portal since Sunday afternoon. Head coach Hugh Freeze emphasized adding more talent out of the portal up front of defense and he has delivered on that promise.

Auburn allowed the fourth most rushing yards per game in the SEC last season and seventh in sacks.

That coupled with the loss of Marcus Harris to the NFL Draft made these additions important.

And there is new coaching. Auburn moved former linebackers coach Josh Aldridge to be in charge of the edge rushers while new defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin was assigned the linebackers. Former defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett left for the same time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Auburn promoted Vontrell King-Williams to its new defensive tackles coach.

King-Williams is largely responsible for the addition of Raikes and Blidi.

Auburn has made several additions on the defensive front out of high school highlighted by Amaris Williams and Jamonta Waller. In the winter transfer window, Auburn brought in Gage Keys from Kansas and Trill Carter from Texas as interior defensive linemen.