Indiana transfer DL Philip Blidi visits Auburn: ‘There is something special going on there’

Indiana transfer defensive lineman Philip Blidi took an official visit to Auburn on Monday and Tuesday. It was his first visit to the Plains and the Tigers made a huge first impression.

“It was an amazing visit,” he said. “Auburn is a very special place.”

Blidi, who has one year of eligibility remaining, toured the campus and facilities and met extensively with the Auburn coaches.

“It was a complete visit,” he said. “I love the people. I love the coaches. Everybody was welcoming and I loved that about them. They really care about their guys, and it’s so obvious to me. It’s really a family atmosphere there.”

Having a family atmosphere is important to Blidi. He’s married with two children.

“That is very important to me,” he said. “I got to know some of the guys there and they shared their experiences with me. Some of the former players that have kids shared about how Auburn cares about family and how they could bring their family around to practices and into the building. That really spoke to me. It says a lot about this coaching staff and how they feel about family.”

Impressed with Auburn coaches

Blidi also spent a lot of time with Auburn defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams and defensive coordinator DJ Durkin. He watched hours of film with the coaches and learned about Auburn’s defense and how he would be utilized.

“I love their defense,” Blidi said. “It’s one of my favorite defenses that I’ve seen so far. And I love Coach V. He expressed how he could really change my game. We watched two hours of film and he showed me how he could improve my technique, little tweaks he could make and how he could help me be the player I want to be. That’s what I’m looking for.

“I feel like Coach V could get me there (to the NFL). That’s a big reason why they are up there for me.”

Auburn makes ‘big move’ for Blidi

Following this visit, Blidi said Auburn moved up his list.

“They made a big move for me,” he said. “At first, I didn’t know if I would even take this visit, but I’m very glad that I did. Coach (Hugh) Freeze, I left with a lot of confidence in him and a lot of confidence in Coach V.

“There is something special going on at Auburn and those coaches are special coaches. Those guys are on the up. Auburn is on the up.”

Blidi already has visited Washington and LSU. He will visit Oklahoma this weekend. A visit to Missouri also is under consideration.

“I think I might take a visit to Mizzou and see what’s going on there,” he said. “If I go to Mizzou, that would be my last visit.”

He plans to make his decision sometime in the next two weeks.

“I think I’m getting close,” he said. “I’m going to make a decision at the end of April. I don’t want to wait until May.”

Last season at Indiana, Blidi had 30 tackles, four tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. He spent the 2020-22 seasons at Texas Tech where he had 39 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks.

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