Is Auburn Building a MONSTER Defensive Line | Auburn Football Podcast
Is Auburn Building a MONSTER Defensive Line | Auburn Football Podcast  
Podcast: The Auburn Express
Published On: Sat Jan 17 2026
Description: Portal season has officially closed and Auburn football wasted no time reshaping the defensive front through the transfer portal. The biggest takeaway from this cycle is clear: Auburn is prioritizing size, experience, and long term upside in the trenches, and the defensive line is starting to take real shape heading into the 2025 season. The headline addition is Walter Mathis Jr, the former LSU defensive tackle who arrives with three years of eligibility remaining. At six foot three and 285 pounds, Mathis brings SEC experience and physicality into a defensive line room that already features promising young talent. His addition provides Auburn with rotational depth and developmental upside under defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin and defensive line coach Montrell King Williams. The conversation also centers on D’Antre Robinson, a massive interior defensive lineman who has played at Florida and North Carolina. Standing six foot four and weighing 315 pounds, Robinson brings proven production and experience against high level competition. If Auburn secures his commitment, Robinson would immediately impact the rotation as a run stopper capable of anchoring the middle of the defensive line. Beyond the defensive additions, the roster discussion expands to Auburn’s offensive portal strategy. Byron Brown headlines the quarterback room, bringing familiarity with Alex Golesh’s system and a dynamic rushing element that changes how defenses must align. Bryson Washington joins Jeremiah Cobb to form a powerful one two punch at running back, giving Auburn balance and physicality it lacked at times last season. This episode breaks down how Auburn’s approach to retention combined with targeted portal additions is shaping the roster in year one under Golesh. The defense remains the foundation, and with these additions up front, Auburn has positioned itself to lean on the trenches once again. 00:00 Portal Season Closes 01:05 Walter Mathis Jr Commitment 04:10 D.J. Durkin Defensive Impact 06:50 D’Antre Robinson Breakdown 10:35 Defensive Line Outlook 14:05 Offensive Portal Additions 18:10 Auburn Roster Trajectory 🎯 CHAPTERS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices