Auburn gets a major win in the transfer portal with the signing of safety Jacoby Mathews, first reported by On3, who will bolster the Tigers’ defense for the 2025 season. The 6-foot-1, 204-pound former Texas A&M standout brings a potent combination of size, athleticism, and on-field awareness to Auburn’s secondary.
During his tenure with the Aggies, Mathews accumulated 67 tackles, 1 interception, and 7 pass breakups over the past two seasons. Though the interception total may seem modest, his nearly 70 tackles show consistent involvement—he’s effective in run support and not afraid to mix it up near the line of scrimmage.
High School Standout
A former 5-star recruit, Mathews was rated nearly 97 on the On3 portal and ranked among the top 40 transfer portal prospects nationally . Texas A&M initially recruited him in 2022 under defensive coordinator DJ Durkin’s system, which has helped shape Mathews’ strong tackling and zone-coverage instincts. As I have mentioned, the need for a rangy safety that could also tackle well in space was something Auburn did not have. Despite some talented freshman, would could round into that, Durkin needed someone with some experience to lead that unit. He now, potentially, has that with Mathews.
In high school at Ponchatoula (LA), Mathews was a two-way player and standout basketball athlete, averaging 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Those hoops skills translate on the field—he’s explosive, agile, and makes plays in traffic.
With two years of eligibility remaining and fresh off an official visit to Auburn in mid-June, Mathews looks ready to be an immediate impact player. His blend of measurables, high-level pedigree, and SEC experience makes him a smart addition and one to watch in the Tigers’ secondary this fall. We will discuss this and more on The Auburn Express.
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