Sportsvival is scouting every 2026 NFL Draft prospect; today’s profile turns to Auburn edge rusher Keldrick Faulk, a long, powerful defender whose combination of size, ascending production, and on‑field leadership has pushed him into early first‑round conversations as one of the class’s more intriguing pass‑rush prospects.
Background and Recruit Profile
High School:
Highland Home High School (Highland Home, Alabama).
Recruiting:
Consensus four‑star recruit; rated among the top defensive linemen in Alabama in the 2023 class and a frequent target of Power Five programs.
High School accomplishments:
Senior season included 78 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and multiple forced fumbles; earned All‑State honors, team Defensive Player of the Year, and an invite to a national all‑star showcase. Faulk’s combination of length, power, and upside made him a high‑profile recruit and a coveted addition for Auburn’s front seven.
Physical Profile and Measurables
Height/Weight: 6 ft 6 in; 285 lbs.
Frame: Long‑armed, thick‑boned edge with NFL‑ready length and room to add functional mass while maintaining burst.
Athletic traits: Sudden first step, natural bend around the corner, and the hand strength to disengage from blockers; testing will be watched closely to confirm his speed and agility for the next level.
College Career and Production
Auburn (2023–2025) - Faulk progressed from rotational contributor to full‑time starter and team leader, showing steady growth as a run‑setter and pass rusher.
2023 (Freshman): 35 tackles, 1.0 sack; rotational snaps with flashes of power and edge setting.
2024 (Sophomore): 45 tackles, 7.0 sacks; expanded role as a situational pass rusher and more consistent run defender.
2025 (Junior): 29 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles; earned team captaincy.
Strengths
Length and Power: Uses reach and upper‑body strength to control blockers and set the edge in the run game.
Pass‑Rush Upside: Explosive first step and natural bend; capable of generating consistent pressures and finishing with violent hands.
Run‑Defense Ability: Strong anchor and effective at sealing the edge, making him a two‑down asset as well as a pass rusher.
Leadership: Team captaincy and on‑field communication highlight intangibles NFL teams value.
Weaknesses
Pass‑Rush Polishing: Needs a broader counter‑move package and cleaner hand‑fighting technique to win consistently against elite tackles.
Consistency vs. Top Competition: Must demonstrate sustained dominance across a full slate of high‑level opponents.
Testing Verification: Official combine/pro‑day numbers will be important to validate his athletic ceiling and determine how he projects in space.
Role Projection and Draft Outlook
Draft projection:
Late first round to early Day 2, with clear upside to climb into the first round if pre‑draft testing and positional drills confirm his athletic profile.
Role projection: Day‑1 starter as a 4‑3/3‑4 EDGE who can set the edge against the run and provide a heavy snap count as a primary pass rusher.
Ceiling/Floor: Floor: reliable starter who sets the edge and contributes consistent pressures;
Ceiling: multi‑year Pro Bowl‑caliber edge with the ability to be a team’s primary pass‑rush weapon.
Pro Comparison
Primary Comparison: Brian Burns, Both pair long arms and a sudden first step with the ability to bend the edge and convert pressures into sacks; Faulk’s ceiling mirrors Burns’ blend of length, burst, and developing technique.
Sportsvival View
Sportsvival views Keldrick Faulk as a high‑upside edge prospect in the 2026 class. His size (6‑6, 285), ascending production, and leadership make him an attractive early‑round target for teams seeking a long, physical rusher who can impact both run defense and pass rush. With technical refinement and strong pre‑draft testing, Faulk has the profile to be a dominant defensive piece at the next level.
(photo courtesy of the Auburn Observer)