Auburn’s Keldric Faulk Poised to Become Top 2025 NFL Draft Prospect With Breakout Season Ahead

As the 2025 college football season approaches, few names are generating as much buzz among NFL scouts and draft analysts as Auburn Tigers edge rusher Keldric Faulk. With a rare combination of size, athleticism, and pass-rushing instincts, Faulk is poised to not only dominate the SEC this fall but also make a serious case to be one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Entering what many expect to be his defining season, Faulk is no longer a rising star—he’s the kind of player that offensive coordinators will scheme against and general managers will closely evaluate for early-round draft consideration.

Keldric Faulk’s path to this moment has been a steady ascent marked by discipline, growth, and flashes of elite-level play. After arriving at Auburn as a highly touted recruit, he quickly proved his worth on the field, showcasing both speed off the edge and a football IQ well beyond his years. His freshman and sophomore seasons served as building blocks—periods in which Faulk developed not just his physical skills but also the nuances of the position: hand placement, leverage, containment discipline, and advanced pass-rush counters. By the end of last season, Faulk was already on the radar of national media outlets, and by spring of 2025, his name appeared regularly in early mock drafts.

Now, with the spotlight squarely on him, Faulk enters the new season as the cornerstone of Auburn’s defensive front. For a program seeking to reestablish itself as a perennial SEC power, Faulk’s dominance on the edge is a key component. His ability to consistently generate pressure, collapse the pocket, and disrupt backfields has drawn comparisons to recent first-round edge rushers, and it’s not hard to see why. Standing at 6-foot-6 and tipping the scales near 270 pounds, he possesses prototypical NFL size but moves with the fluidity of a linebacker. That blend of traits makes him an every-down threat—capable of impacting the game whether Auburn is up against a spread offense or a power-run scheme.

Scouts and draft evaluators have taken particular note of Faulk’s motor. It’s one thing to flash elite talent in moments—it’s another to bring relentless energy snap after snap. Faulk’s film is filled with examples of him chasing plays down from the backside, setting the edge against bigger linemen, and driving through double teams. This work ethic is a major reason why he’s separating himself from other draft-eligible pass rushers in the 2025 class. NFL franchises are not only looking for raw athleticism but for players who will set a tone in the locker room, lead by example, and bring consistency to their defensive identity. Faulk checks every one of those boxes.

Auburn’s defensive coordinator has publicly praised Faulk’s progression and his increasing leadership role within the team. In practices and offseason workouts, Faulk has become a vocal presence, holding teammates accountable and mentoring younger players. This development off the field is just as crucial for his draft stock as his stats. The NFL values players who can elevate a franchise culture, and Faulk is showing signs that he can be that kind of foundational piece.

In terms of on-field production, the 2025 season presents a real opportunity for Faulk to rack up the kind of numbers that attract national attention. With Auburn’s revamped defensive scheme designed to free him up off the edge and create more one-on-one matchups, Faulk could realistically eclipse double-digit sacks while adding numerous tackles for loss, quarterback hits, and forced fumbles. These are the metrics that translate directly to draft day value, and if Faulk delivers, it’s likely he’ll find himself rising up draft boards rapidly.

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What separates Faulk from many of his peers, however, is his technical refinement. While many edge rushers rely heavily on raw athleticism or a single go-to move, Faulk’s arsenal is diverse. He combines speed rushes, bull rushes, rip moves, and even inside counters with timing and balance. His hand-fighting skills, developed through intense film study and position-specific coaching, allow him to disengage quickly and maintain pursuit angles even against elusive quarterbacks. This refined skillset is exactly what NFL teams crave—it shortens the learning curve and increases the likelihood of early career success.

Faulk’s understanding of game situations also stands out. He knows when to gamble on a pass rush and when to play contain. He adjusts based on down and distance, and he’s been praised for his communication with interior linemen to execute stunts and delayed pressures. That kind of situational awareness is hard to teach and typically comes with experience, which makes it even more impressive that Faulk is already showing it at the collegiate level.

The road to the NFL is never guaranteed, even for elite prospects. Injuries, inconsistency, or scheme fit can derail even the most promising careers. But Keldric Faulk has positioned himself as a high-floor, high-ceiling player. He has the measurables, the production, the mindset, and the developmental arc that coaches and general managers value. His performance in Auburn’s early-season games, especially against top SEC opponents, will play a critical role in how high he climbs on draft boards. Matchups against elite offensive tackles will serve as scouting benchmarks, and strong performances in those moments could catapult him from a Day 2 prospect into first-round consideration.

For Auburn, Faulk represents more than just a potential draft pick. He’s a recruiting success story, a development case study, and a symbol of what the program can produce when talent is nurtured with the right support. His NFL journey will reflect not just his own work ethic but the effectiveness of Auburn’s coaching staff and training systems. That’s a narrative the program will undoubtedly leverage as they recruit future blue-chip defenders.

As the 2025 NFL Draft cycle heats up, Keldric Faulk’s name will be one to watch closely. Media outlets are expected to feature him heavily in preseason watch lists, All-SEC predictions, and position rankings. If he stays healthy and continues his upward trajectory, Faulk could find himself walking the stage on draft night as one of the premier edge rushers of his class.

In a game increasingly dominated by pass rushers who can change momentum with a single play, Faulk has all the tools to be a difference-maker. His combination of size, skill, and smarts makes him the total package—and his breakout season is now just one snap away. The NFL world is watching. Auburn fans are already cheering. And Keldric Faulk is ready to prove that his name belongs among the best in the 2025 draft class.