Auburn addressed its need for seasoned defensive backs by securing the commitment of Jerrin Thompson, a safety transferring from Texas, as announced in his Instagram post on Monday. Thompson, a native of Texas, boasts a track record of playing in numerous games over the past four years as a Longhorn, accumulating 176 career tackles, five interceptions, and a forced fumble.
The Music City Bowl loss to Maryland underscored Auburn’s requirement for experienced players in the secondary, particularly with the departure of Nehemiah Pritchett, DJ James, Jaylin Simpson, and Zion Puckett—key starters in Auburn’s secondary—all heading to the NFL. Among these, only Puckett participated in the bowl game. Auburn’s secondary, now without these NFL-bound players, consists mainly of highly-rated high school recruits, lacking significant collegiate experience.
With Thompson joining the team, Auburn instantly gains its most seasoned defensive back. This addition alleviates the pressure on the younger players to contribute immediately, providing a stabilizing presence in the secondary.