# Keldric Faulk
**Keldric Faulk** (born September 7) is an [American football](https://www.edgepedia.org/american-football) defensive end who played for [Auburn University](https://www.edgepedia.org/auburn-university) from 2023 to 2025 and was selected 31st overall by the [Tennessee Titans](https://www.edgepedia.org/tennessee-titans) in the 2026 NFL Draft[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk) • [2](https://apnews.com/article/c69763dbea64665a5806bab697fa27df). A native of Highland Home, Alabama, he became a starter during his true freshman season, made 32 consecutive starts for the Tigers, and entered the draft as one of its youngest top prospects at 20 years old[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk) • [3](https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/15/2026-nfl-draft-bucs-guide-keldric-faulk-akheem-mesidor).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Position, size | Defensive end, 6-6 and 285 lbs at Auburn; measured 6-5⅞, 276 lbs with 34⅜-inch arms at the pre-draft process[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk) • [4](https://www.ffsn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Top-25-prospects-Steelers-Specific.pdf) |
| College career | Auburn 2023–2025; 32 consecutive starts; career totals include 109 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 10.0 sacks[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk) |
| Best season | 2024: 45 tackles, 11.0 TFL, 7.0 sacks; SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (Oct. 28)[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk) |
| Honors | 2023 SEC All-Freshman Team; 2025 Third Team All-SEC; 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy semifinalist; 2025 team captain[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk) |
| Recruiting | Consensus four-star recruit, rated as high as No. 79 nationally by Rivals[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk) |
| Draft | 31st overall, 2026 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans, after the Titans traded back into the first round[2](https://apnews.com/article/c69763dbea64665a5806bab697fa27df) • [5](https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/24/in-surprising-move-titans-select-wr-carnell-tate) |
| Scouting profile | Elite run defender (90th percentile run stop percentage) with low pass-rush win rate as an underclassman (9.2% average in 2023/24)[6](https://www.pff.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-summer-scouting-edge-rusher-overview) |
## Early life and recruiting
Faulk played for Highland Home High School in Highland Home, Alabama, under coach Will Pouncey, and led the Flying Squadron to a 13-2 record and the semifinals of the 2022 AHSAA 2A state playoffs[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk). He played in the 2023 All-American Bowl for the East team and the 2022 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, and was a consensus four-star recruit rated as high as the No. 79 player in the country by Rivals[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk).
He committed to Auburn, where his younger brother JJ later joined the football program as well[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk). His father is Lakendral Barnes, and he has a sister, Erica[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk).
## College career at Auburn
**Freshman year, 2023.** Faulk played in every game as a true freshman and worked his way into the starting lineup, with his first start coming at LSU[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk) • [7](https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreports2026kfaulk.php). He totaled 35 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass broken up, and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk) • [7](https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreports2026kfaulk.php).
**Sophomore year, 2024.** As a second-year starter at defensive end, Faulk recorded 45 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, and 7.0 sacks, bringing his career total to 80 tackles[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk). His highlights included back-to-back sacks and a team-high 8 tackles against Cal, 2 sacks and 7 tackles at Georgia, and 2 sacks at Kentucky, and he was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for the Kentucky performance[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk). Against Alabama he recorded 6 tackles, 2 TFL, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk).
**Junior year, 2025.** Faulk played and started all 12 games on the edge and served as a 2025 team captain, extending his streak to 32 consecutive starts dating back to 2023[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk). He made 29 tackles with 5.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks, tied for the team lead with four pass breakups, and added a fumble recovery[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk). He was a Third Team All-SEC selection (Coaches, Phil Steele), a Lott IMPACT Trophy semifinalist, and a member of the 2025 SEC Football Leadership Council[1](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk).
## Scouting evaluation
Scouts consistently identified Faulk's length and strength as his defining traits. [Pro Football Focus](https://www.edgepedia.org/pro-football-focus) described his frame as ideal for the defensive end position, noting that his wingspan appears to match his listed height, and rated him a very stout run defender as an underclassman, in the 90th percentile for run stop percentage, plus a plus defender in short-yardage and goal-line situations[6](https://www.pff.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-summer-scouting-edge-rusher-overview). He did his best work as a 4i or 5-tech defensive end from a 3-point stance, using long arm and push-pull moves to win with strength[6](https://www.pff.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-summer-scouting-edge-rusher-overview).
**Pass rush was the main question.** PFF recorded a low pass-rush win percentage as an underclassman, 9.2% on average across 2023 and 2024, and noted that he consistently lost the leverage battle when rushing from a 2-point stance[6](https://www.pff.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-summer-scouting-edge-rusher-overview). WalterFootball attributed part of his modest production to how Auburn used him, writing that the staff had him play a lot of two-gap technique (lining up to control two gaps, tying up blockers) rather than letting him attack upfield, while still crediting him with violent point-of-attack play, a strong bull rush, and the ability to rush from the inside or outside[7](https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreports2026kfaulk.php). Listed weaknesses included the need to add functional strength, trouble when he stands up too high, and pass-rush moves needing refinement[7](https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreports2026kfaulk.php).
Evaluators also praised his intangibles. WalterFootball described a nonstop motor, leadership, and excellent character on and off the field, and noted he was only 20 years old with big athletic upside[7](https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreports2026kfaulk.php). Former Auburn coach [Hugh Freeze](https://www.edgepedia.org/hugh-freeze) said Faulk had "an incredible voice that people listen to, because he's wise for his age and his work ethic is incredible"[8](https://www.theringer.com/nfl-draft/2026/big-board/keldric-faulk).
## 2026 NFL Draft
Faulk was widely projected in the first round, with mock drafts placing him with teams including the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](https://www.edgepedia.org/tampa-bay-buccaneers) at No. 15 and the [Miami Dolphins](https://www.edgepedia.org/miami-dolphins)[3](https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/15/2026-nfl-draft-bucs-guide-keldric-faulk-akheem-mesidor) • [9](https://as.com/us/nfl/nfl-mock-draft-2026-asi-luce-la-primera-ronda-a-solo-20-dias-f202604-n/). In the draft on April 23, 2026, the Tennessee Titans traded back into the first round, acquiring pick No. 31 that the [Buffalo Bills](https://www.edgepedia.org/buffalo-bills) had acquired from New England, and selected Faulk 31st overall[2](https://apnews.com/article/c69763dbea64665a5806bab697fa27df) • [5](https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/24/in-surprising-move-titans-select-wr-carnell-tate).
## References
1. [Keldric Faulk, Football 2024 roster, Auburn Tigers Official Athletics Website](https://auburntigers.com/sports/football/roster/season/2024/player/keldric-faulk)
2. [QB Fernando Mendoza, edge rusher David Bailey, running back Jeremiyah Love go 1-2-3 in the NFL draft, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/c69763dbea64665a5806bab697fa27df)
3. [A casual Bucs fan's guide to the 2026 NFL draft, Axios Tampa Bay](https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/15/2026-nfl-draft-bucs-guide-keldric-faulk-akheem-mesidor)
4. [Top 25 prospects, Steelers-Specific (2026 NFL Draft measurements)](https://www.ffsn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Top-25-prospects-Steelers-Specific.pdf)
5. [In surprising move, Titans select WR Carnell Tate, Axios Nashville](https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/24/in-surprising-move-titans-select-wr-carnell-tate)
6. [2026 NFL Draft Summer Scouting: Edge Rusher Overview, PFF](https://www.pff.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-summer-scouting-edge-rusher-overview)
7. [2026 NFL Scouting Report: Keldric Faulk, WalterFootball](https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreports2026kfaulk.php)
8. [The Ringer 2026 NFL Draft Guide, Big Board: Keldric Faulk](https://www.theringer.com/nfl-draft/2026/big-board/keldric-faulk)
9. [NFL Mock Draft 2026, AS.com](https://as.com/us/nfl/nfl-mock-draft-2026-asi-luce-la-primera-ronda-a-solo-20-dias-f202604-n/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Rugby and other football codes › American football players, coaches, and executives › Defensive ends › Active professional defensive ends*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 11, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license