Auburn’s Keldric Faulk Earns National Spotlight with PFF Top-50 Selection
Auburn’s defense has found its newest superstar, and the nation is taking notice. Sophomore edge rusher Keldric Faulk has been named to Pro Football Focus’ prestigious Top-50 College Football Players list, landing at No. 37 in the rankings released Tuesday morning. The recognition cements Faulk’s status as one of the most dominant defensive forces in the country and signals Auburn’s resurgence as a producer of elite defensive talent.
The 6’5″, 265-pound phenom from Highland Home, Alabama, exploded onto the scene last season with a breakout freshman campaign that saw him rack up 8.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. But it was his advanced metrics that truly caught PFF’s attention – Faulk finished the 2024 season with a 92.3 pass rush grade, the highest ever recorded by an Auburn defender in the analytics site’s history. His 25.7% pressure rate ranked third among all Power Five edge rushers, trailing only Ohio State’s J.T. Tuimoloau and Alabama’s Keon Keeley.
“Faulk’s combination of length, burst and technical refinement is rare for a player his age,” PFF’s lead college analyst Mike Renner wrote in the publication’s evaluation. “He already possesses NFL-caliber hand usage and counter moves. When you factor in his continued physical development, you’re looking at a potential top-10 draft pick in 2026.”
The honor comes at a pivotal moment for Auburn’s program. Faulk becomes the first Tiger defender to crack PFF’s preseason Top-50 since Roger McCreary in 2021, and his emergence gives defensive coordinator Ron Roberts a legitimate game-wrecker to build around. Opposing offensive coordinators are already scheming extra protection his way – a luxury that should create opportunities for Auburn’s other defensive standouts like linebacker Austin Keys and cornerback Kayin Lee.
Head coach Hugh Freeze couldn’t hide his pride when discussing Faulk’s development at SEC Media Days last week. “What makes Keldric special isn’t just the physical gifts, which are obvious,” Freeze said. “It’s his work ethic. The kid lives in the film room, takes coaching like a pro, and has that rare competitive fire you can’t teach. He’s the standard now for what we want in this program.”
Faulk’s rapid ascent has also caught the attention of NFL scouts. Multiple teams have already projected him as a future first-round pick, with one AFC South scout telling ESPN, “He’s got Myles Garrett-type upside if he keeps developing. The bend and power at that size is scary.”
For Auburn fans, Faulk’s recognition represents more than just individual accolades – it’s proof that the program can still develop elite defensive talent capable of going toe-to-toe with SEC powers. As the Tigers prepare for their season opener against Alabama A&M on August 31, all eyes will be on No. 4 to see if he can build on his meteoric rise and lead Auburn’s defense back to national prominence.
With NFL Draft buzz building and All-American honors within reach, Keldric Faulk isn’t just playing for Auburn this season – he’s playing his way into the conversation as one of college football’s next great defensive stars. And if his first year was any indication, the best is yet to come.
