Keldric Faulk at No. 18: Auburn’s Defensive Star Eyes Breakout 2025 Season and the NFL Horizon
At number 18 on the College Sports Wire Top 50 list for 2025 is Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk, a player whose name is quickly rising in conversations about not just dominant SEC defenders but also the next wave of NFL talent. Faulk, who has steadily grown in reputation since arriving at Auburn, enters the 2025 college football season as one of the most watched edge rushers in the nation. His size, motor, football IQ, and leadership are all drawing high praise from scouts and analysts alike. As we look toward his pivotal junior campaign, it’s becoming clear that Faulk’s trajectory is aimed toward stardom — first at the collegiate level, and soon after, as a high pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Faulk’s impact on Auburn’s defense can’t be overstated. He arrived with big expectations and a strong recruiting pedigree, but what makes him stand out is how quickly he has translated potential into production. His growth from rotational player to full-time starter has been steady and efficient. In 2024, he posted strong numbers — not just in sacks, which are the flashy stat, but also in quarterback pressures, run stops, and total disruptions. He’s been the kind of edge player who doesn’t just show up in highlight clips but constantly affects the outcome of plays, even when he doesn’t make the tackle himself.
At six-foot-five and around 270 pounds, Faulk has the prototypical build for a modern edge rusher. He’s long enough to keep offensive tackles at bay, strong enough to hold up against the run, and explosive enough to win off the edge with quickness. What’s perhaps most exciting for Auburn fans is that Faulk still hasn’t reached his ceiling. Coaches have noted his dedication to film study, offseason training, and technique refinement. Every season he’s added something new to his game — a better inside counter move, quicker hands at the point of attack, or more efficient angles when bending the edge. That level of growth is rare, and it’s one reason he’s climbed into the top 20 of national player rankings heading into 2025.
There’s also the leadership component. Faulk has become a vocal leader on and off the field for Auburn’s defense, setting the tone during practices and bringing a sense of urgency to game days. He’s not just a freak athlete — he’s a student of the game and someone who understands the responsibility that comes with being a top player on a high-profile SEC program. Several of his teammates have credited him with raising the level of preparation in the locker room. That intangible value is part of what’s driving his draft stock as well. NFL teams aren’t just looking for athletes; they want pros — mature, motivated, and mentally sharp players who are ready for the demands of the next level. Faulk checks a lot of those boxes.
From a scheme perspective, Auburn’s defensive system under its current staff has allowed Faulk to play freely and aggressively. He’s not locked into a rigid assignment structure that limits his pass-rush potential. Instead, the Tigers have given him opportunities to line up on either side of the line, occasionally stunt inside, and take on favorable matchups. That versatility is another aspect that scouts love. Being able to project a player into multiple fronts and roles — 4-3 defensive end, 3-4 outside linebacker, situational pass rusher — increases a player’s draft appeal significantly. Faulk has shown enough in both his tape and athletic testing to suggest he could thrive in a variety of pro systems.
What might be most exciting about Faulk’s upcoming 2025 season is the schedule ahead. Auburn will face several high-profile offenses with elite offensive linemen, giving him a national platform to showcase his skills. There are at least four games on Auburn’s calendar that could be marquee matchups for Faulk’s draft resume. If he can dominate in those games, particularly against teams like Georgia and LSU, it could cement him as a first-round lock. Scouts love to see players rise in big moments. When an edge rusher consistently wrecks game plans against top-tier competition, it signals that they’re ready to make the leap to the NFL.
Then there’s the statistical side. While sacks are often used as the benchmark for pass rushers, advanced metrics tell a deeper story. In 2024, Faulk was among the SEC leaders in pass-rush win rate and pressure percentage. Those numbers are generated through breakdowns of each snap — how often he beats his man, how quickly he gets to the quarterback, and how often he forces disruption. Faulk’s pressure numbers were elite, and they highlight how much chaos he causes even when he doesn’t get home for the sack. Quarterbacks forced into rushed throws, altered timing, and off-platform mechanics — that’s what Faulk does consistently, and that’s why he’s so valuable to Auburn’s defense.
Heading into the 2025 season, NFL draft buzz is starting to build. Mock drafts are still early and speculative, but Faulk has already appeared in several first-round projections. Some scouts see him as a mid-to-late first-rounder right now, with the potential to rise into the top 15 if he has a dominant season. Comparisons are already being drawn to recent draft picks like Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner — players who showed consistency, high-end athletic traits, and strong production in the SEC before transitioning to the pros. While Faulk may not have the same freshman-year explosion that those two had, his upward trajectory is impossible to ignore.
Beyond his NFL projection, Faulk’s presence on this Auburn team is pivotal. If the Tigers are going to take a step forward and contend in the SEC West, they need their defense to be disruptive and consistent. That starts with players like Faulk leading the way. A strong pass rush can mask other deficiencies — it helps the secondary, creates turnover opportunities, and changes offensive play-calling. Faulk is the kind of player who demands double-teams, which frees up his teammates to make plays. His presence alone shifts the dynamic of how teams game-plan against Auburn. That kind of gravity — the attention he draws from opposing coordinators — is invaluable.
Off the field, Faulk’s maturity and professionalism are also reasons for optimism. He’s handled the growing attention with poise, choosing to stay focused on his team and goals rather than chasing hype. In interviews, he comes across as thoughtful and team-first. That humility, paired with his obvious physical talent, makes him a coach’s dream. It’s also why he’s viewed as one of the most reliable players in the locker room. As more national attention comes his way this fall, it’ll be interesting to see how he handles it. All signs suggest he’ll keep doing what he’s always done — putting in the work, staying focused, and making plays when it matters most.
One of the more interesting aspects of Faulk’s game is how well-rounded he’s become. Early on, he was seen mostly as a pass rusher. But now, he’s equally effective against the run. His edge-setting technique has improved, and he rarely gets washed out or pushed off his spot. He’s disciplined in contain responsibilities, uses leverage well, and knows when to disengage and make a tackle. That development is huge. The best NFL edge players are three-down defenders — not just sack artists. Faulk is trending toward that category, and it’s why some evaluators now consider him a top-three defensive end prospect for next year’s draft.
There’s still room for growth, of course. Faulk can continue to refine his pass-rush plan, develop secondary moves, and improve his counters when his initial burst is neutralized. But those are coachable details, not major red flags. His foundation — physical traits, work ethic, football intelligence — is already in place. The 2025 season will be his chance to put it all together and make a final push into national stardom. With every snap, he’ll be under the microscope of both fans and NFL decision-makers.
In many ways, Faulk embodies the kind of player every college program wants to build around. He’s talented, coachable, driven, and team-oriented. He’s also on the verge of becoming Auburn’s next NFL success story — someone who can represent the program at the next level and serve as a recruiting example for years to come. If his 2025 season plays out as expected, don’t be surprised if Keldric Faulk becomes one of the most talked-about names in both college football and the draft world. Auburn fans already know what they have. Now, the rest of the country is starting to catch on.
