In a move that’s stirred up the college football world, former Texas A&M safety Jacoby Mathews has landed with the Auburn Tigers. It’s been a long stretch in the transfer portal for Mathews, once a highly-ranked four-star recruit out of Louisiana.
After a strong 2023 season with the Aggies, Mathews is now set to bring his skills to Auburn. He’s hoping to shake things up for their defense.
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Jacoby Mathews’ Journey: From Texas A&M to Auburn
Mathews, a standout safety from Louisiana, joined Texas A&M’s much-hyped 2022 recruiting class. He’s got length, speed, and a knack for reading plays—qualities that quickly earned him the starting free safety spot in 2023.
He wrapped up that season with 42 tackles, one interception, and four pass deflections. But things shifted fast for the Aggies after the season, especially with the firing of head coach Jimbo Fisher.
Reasons Behind the Transfer
When Mike Elko took over as head coach, he brought in a different defensive approach. That made Mathews rethink his place on the team.
Even though he could’ve kept his starting job, Mathews hit the transfer portal, looking for a better fit. After more than a year waiting and weighing options, he’s now committed to the Auburn Tigers for the 2025 season.
Impact on Auburn’s Defense
Mathews joining Auburn’s roster is a big deal for their secondary. At 6’2″ and over 200 pounds, he brings both size and experience that the Tigers can use right away.
Sylvester Smith, a redshirt sophomore, was the likely starter at free safety. With Mathews in the mix, though, the safety rotation could look pretty different.
Potential Contributions
Mathews didn’t play last season, so he’ll need to shake off some rust. Still, his upside is obvious.
Auburn’s defense already has a solid reputation in the SEC, and Mathews could add even more playmaking ability. Whether he jumps in as a starter or rotates in, he’s likely to play a big role in their defensive schemes.
Texas A&M’s 2022 Recruiting Class: A Retrospective
The 2022 recruiting class at Texas A&M was a headline-grabber, packed with more than 20 top prospects. But that group has mostly scattered—some to the NFL, others to new programs.
Mathews leaving is just the latest chapter in that story. The Aggies are still working to rebuild and adapt as they move forward under new leadership.
Conclusion
Jacoby Mathews is heading to Auburn, and that’s a big move for his football career. This transfer shakes up both the Texas A&M and Auburn programs in ways fans can’t ignore.
College football never really stands still, does it? Players like Mathews keep things interesting as they chase new opportunities and fresh starts.
He’s got a chance now to leave his mark with the Tigers. Auburn’s defense might look a little different with him in the mix, and honestly, it’ll be interesting to see what happens next.
If you want the full scoop, check out the original article on Aggies Wire.
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