Auburn’s Defensive Duo of Keldric Faulk and D.J. Coleman Headline Six Tigers Named to 2024 Preseason All-SEC Team

The roar from Auburn is growing louder as the 2024 college football season nears, and it’s not just coming from Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn defensive standouts Keldric Faulk and D.J. Coleman are spearheading a group of six Tigers honored with selections to the Preseason All-SEC Team, announced this week. It’s official recognition from across the conference: Auburn is loaded with top-tier talent and ready to challenge in the SEC once again.

The Southeastern Conference annually releases its preseason teams as voted on by media members covering SEC Media Days. And for the Auburn Tigers, who are preparing for a crucial season under second-year head coach Hugh Freeze, the presence of six names on the list is a clear signal that the foundation of a formidable contender is in place.

Leading the way are two defensive monsters: sophomore defensive end Keldric Faulk and redshirt senior edge rusher D.J. Coleman. Their inclusion not only validates their personal talent but also showcases the identity of Auburn’s 2024 defense—relentless, physical, and impossible to ignore.

Keldric Faulk: Auburn’s Next Superstar

After a standout freshman campaign, Keldric Faulk has exploded onto the national scene. At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, the Highland Home native is a freakish combination of size, speed, and football IQ. As a freshman, Faulk totaled 42 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks despite often facing double teams. His work ethic and motor earned him the respect of both teammates and SEC opponents alike.

Now, entering his sophomore season, Faulk is widely considered one of the most disruptive young defenders in the nation. Coaches around the league have taken notice. Offensive coordinators are already scheming around him, and yet, Faulk’s rise appears inevitable. He was named to the First-Team Preseason All-SEC squad—a rare honor for a second-year player.

“Faulk plays beyond his years,” said Freeze during SEC Media Days. “He’s explosive off the edge, smart in diagnosing plays, and most importantly, he’s a team-first guy. The sky’s the limit for Keldric.”

Faulk isn’t just a player to watch within the SEC—he’s a budding NFL talent, and his presence elevates the entire defensive line.

D.J. Coleman: Veteran Leadership and Pure Power

While Faulk may be the future, D.J. Coleman represents the present. A redshirt senior who transferred from Missouri in 2023, Coleman came into the program as an experienced edge rusher and made an immediate impact in Auburn’s defensive front. In his debut season for the Tigers, he registered 51 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks, often serving as the enforcer against both the run and the pass.

Coleman’s relentless motor and discipline have earned him Second-Team Preseason All-SEC honors, and many inside the Auburn program believe he was snubbed from the first team. He’s the heartbeat of the defense, setting the tone in the locker room and on the field. Coaches trust him, teammates rally around him, and opponents fear him.

“D.J. brings a mature, blue-collar mentality to everything he does,” Freeze noted. “He holds himself and the guys around him to the highest standard. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to have a huge year.”

Auburn’s Other SEC Selections

In addition to Faulk and Coleman, four other Auburn Tigers earned a spot on the Preseason All-SEC Team, highlighting the depth and balance of this 2024 roster.

1. Jarquez Hunter – Running Back – Second Team
Hunter is no stranger to SEC recognition. After a solid 2023 season in which he rushed for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns, the junior back returns as one of the most dependable runners in the conference. With his blend of vision, patience, and burst, Hunter is expected to anchor Auburn’s ground game again.

2. Donovan Kaufman – Defensive Back – Third Team
A versatile safety who can cover in space and come downhill in a flash, Kaufman is a dynamic weapon in the secondary. He tallied 68 tackles and 2 interceptions last season and is known for his high football IQ and leadership skills. His presence on the field allows Auburn to get creative with blitz packages and disguises.

3. Jayson Jones – Defensive Tackle – Third Team
The 6-foot-6, 328-pound wall in the middle of Auburn’s defensive front, Jones is the immovable object that allows Faulk and Coleman to feast on the edges. His gap control and power make him a run-game nightmare for opposing offenses.

4. Camden Brown – Wide Receiver – Third Team
Brown’s breakout in 2023 didn’t go unnoticed. The 6-foot-3 receiver recorded 721 yards and 7 touchdowns last season and is expected to be the go-to target for quarterback Payton Thorne this fall. His ability to high-point the football and separate on vertical routes makes him a true threat in the red zone.

Auburn’s Defensive Identity Taking Shape

The inclusion of four defensive players on the All-SEC list speaks volumes. Auburn is crafting a hard-nosed, physical identity on defense that’s beginning to mirror the great Tigers defenses of the past. With Faulk and Coleman coming off the edge, Jones clogging the interior, and Kaufman controlling the back end, there’s no weak link.

It’s a unit that Freeze and new defensive coordinator Charles Kelly are confident can keep Auburn in every game—even against explosive SEC offenses like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU.

“The defense has the potential to be elite,” said Kelly. “There’s a hunger and chemistry here. Guys are flying around. And when you have leaders like D.J. and Keldric setting the tone, it’s contagious.”

A Program on the Rise

For Hugh Freeze, entering his second year at the helm, this preseason recognition is validation that his blueprint for rebuilding Auburn is working. After a 7-6 finish last year, the Tigers are expected to take a leap in 2024. The influx of top recruits, transfers, and returning talent has transformed the roster into one that’s deeper, faster, and more experienced.

The Preseason All-SEC honors are a glimpse of what’s to come—and a warning to the rest of the league. Auburn isn’t content to sit back and rebuild slowly. They’re coming fast, with a defense full of stars and a coach with a proven track record of SEC success.

“There’s a different energy this year,” said Coleman. “We know what we have, and we’re not afraid to say it—we’re coming to compete for the SEC.”

With fall camp approaching, the excitement around Auburn is palpable. The Tigers open their season against Western Kentucky on August 31 before diving into SEC play in Week 3. Every step of the journey will be measured, every mistake magnified—but also, every success will only fuel the belief that Auburn is a sleeping giant, now wide awake.

The pressure is there, but so is the potential. Auburn has six Preseason All-SEC selections, and each one represents a crucial piece of a bigger puzzle. From Faulk’s sophomore leap to Coleman’s leadership, Hunter’s downhill explosion to Brown’s downfield heroics, the Tigers have the ingredients for a special year.

And if this group stays healthy and focused, the sound you hear from the Plains might not just be hype. It might be the early rumblings of a contender storming back into the SEC spotlight.