Auburn’s linebacker situation following DeMario Tolan’s departure
AUBURN — It was confirmed on Wednesday night that LSU transfer linebacker DeMario Tolan is no longer with the football team. The news is surprising after Tolan transferred from LSU to Auburn in January with three years of eligibility remaining, with his redshirt still available as an option.
In addition, Tolan’s name wasn’t present on the team’s official roster as of late Wednesday night.
Tolan played in 12 games as a freshman in 2022. He was a four-star recruit, the No. 23 linebacker and No. 229 overall recruit, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally-weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Tolan was heavily recruited by Auburn out of high school before choosing LSU, and was a major addition in January when Hugh Freeze and Co. landed him.
While talented, Tolan was still learning Ron Roberts‘ defense and wasn’t projected to start. Tolan was, however, an improving player who added much-needed depth and provided Josh Aldridge with a skilled linebacker for the future.
The loss stings as it pertains to depth, but it doesn’t sting in regards to losing a potential starter because Tolan wasn’t in that position at the moment.
Without Tolan, here’s where Auburn stands at linebacker:
Wesley Steiner: a likely candidate to start at middle linebacker as a senior, Steiner finished fifth on the team last year with 46 tackles.
Austin Keys and Cam Riley: two big linebackers battling it out at the weakside position. Riley is the returning starter at Auburn, but Keys was brought in from Ole Miss with a purpose.
Larry Nixon III: the North Texas transfer tallied over 100 tackles last season, weighs 230 pounds, and projects at the weakside position because of his versatility and coverage skills.
Robert Woodyard: the redshirt freshman started to turn the corner during spring camp and really push Steiner for playing time. Woodyard should be a significant contributor.
Eugene Asante: the North Carolina transfer only tallied one tackle last season, playing mostly scout team by the time the season came to an end. With the departure of Tolan, Asante moves up the line at the weakside position.
Jake Levant: the former walk-on was fourth-string middle linebacker in our post-spring depth chart, but will move up the line in the middle after the departure of Tolan. Levant had four tackles last season.
All in all, the Tigers will enter August camp with seven linebackers filling the middle and weakside positions. There’s just enough depth for now, as the loss of Tolan will be felt even more if more attrition takes place.
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