Auburn’s decision to bolster its defensive line wasn’t a one-time event.
The Tigers have added another transfer defensive lineman, this time in the shape of USC transfer and former Texas A&M defensive lineman Isaiah Raikes, after securing the commitment of Indiana transfer defensive lineman Philip Blidi on Sunday.
Raikes, who signed up for the transfer portal on April 12, declared on social media on Monday that he was committed to Auburn.
Although Raikes is officially joining from USC, he did not participate in any games for the Trojans.
Raikes played four seasons at Texas A&M before using the transfer portal in December and arriving at USC. Raikes did, however, only spend a little time in Los Angeles before returning to the transfer portal.
Raikes played in 42 games during his four years at Texas A&M. He finished with 43 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, and one forced fumble.
Raikes, a Woodbury, New Jersey native, was listed by 247Sports as the 61st defensive lineman in 2020 and a 3-star defensive tackle in high school.
At 6-foot-1 and 313 pounds, Raikes is expected to provide bulk to Auburn’s defensive line interior, a position that has been a source of worry for the team since spring training began.
As the Tigers conducted spring practice, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze remarked of the defensive line, “I think inside is where we’re still a little thin.” “Maybe we’ll search there for some portal assistance.”
Additionally, the Tigers’ acquisitions of Raikes and Blidi have so far provided minimal assistance.
Raikes and Blidi join a defensive line room that previously included redshirt freshman Darron Reed Jr., freshman TJ Lindsey, freshman Malik Blocton, senior Jayson Jones, senior Gage Keys, senior Texas transfer, and junior Quientrail Jamison-Travis.
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