Auburn football boosted its secondary last week by adding former Texas A&M safety Jacoby Mathews to its roster from the transfer portal, adding experience to an already loaded unit.
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze spoke on the team’s signing of Mathews during a recent speaking engagement at the Lake Martin AMBUSH event last week. Mathews spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons at Texas A&M before academic issues forced him to spend last academic year in junior college. Freeze says that Mathews is a welcomed addition to the Tigers defense, and that he is excited to give the talented safety a fresh start.
“Obviously, he did not own up to the responsibilities you have and the accountability that you should have. We’ve had some great heart-to-hearts. I believe with all my heart that he understands this is his last chance,” Freeze said. “And he didn’t do anything. He just did not receive the blessing that he had at his previous school, and I think he’s learned a lesson and adding another elite safety to that group is beneficial to us. We’re excited to give him a chance.”
Mathews reunites with defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, who held the same role with the Aggies during Mathews’ tenure in College Station. As an Aggie, Mathews logged 66 tackles with seven pass deflections, an interception, and a fumble recovery. In his last season in 2023, Mathews allowed zero touchdowns and built a 80.8 coverage grade according to Pro Football Focus.
Mathews brings experience to a loaded defensive back unit that also features Kaleb Harris and Sylvester Smith at safety.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn football: Hugh Freeze discusses addition of Jacoby Mathews