Jakaleb 'JJ' Faulk, 4-star in-state LB, signs with Auburn
Four-star linebacker Jakaleb Faulk of Highland Home (Ala.) signed with Auburn on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
The Faulk File
Position: Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3.5/225 pounds
Notable trait/Auburn fit: Faulk continues to fill out his elite frame, much like his brother. Faulk will play in the 230-240 pound range on the next level. He is big, but runs extremely well and can cover well. He can do most everything at inside linebacker, but could translate to edge/outside linebacker as well.
On3 Industry Ranking: (92.71) No. 130 overall, No. 11 linebacker, No. 9 in Alabama
Commitment date: Aug. 21, 2023
Chose Auburn over: Florida, Alabama
Time of enrollment: January
Notable: Faulk, who is the younger brother of Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk, was an early commit for Auburn. Florida and Alabama pushed hard, and he listened, but his heart was with Auburn. Faulk is built similarly to his brother, but has the skillset to play in space rather than with a hand on the ground. Faulk led the No. 1 defense in the state of Alabama his senior year.
Quoteworthy: “My mom is super excited to watch us both play our dream sport. Me and my brother both know our dad will be happy and proud of us right now. The plan they have for me is to be a stand up LB for 1st and 2nd down and when it’s 3rd down I go to the edge.”
In-person evaluation
***In-person evaluation written by Auburn Live Analyst Cole Pinkston..
— Faulk played both offense and defense for the Squadron on Friday night. He is yet another Auburn commit who fits at many different positions. He played wide receiver, tight end, edge, outside linebacker, and inside linebacker.
— On offense, Faulk is used over the middle of the field. He caught 3 passes, 1 for a touchdown. One of his catches was particularly impressive. He had two defenders draped on him and high-pointed the ball way above both defenders. The athleticism flashed on that play.
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— On defense, Faulk was somewhat out of his comfort zone playing against an inside running team who loads the box. Faulk is big enough to play in the box at 6-foot-3.5 225 pounds, but his mentality is that of a skill player. Normally I would rather the physicality be high, but with his size and length, being able to play in the field is rare.
— Faulk did not fill up the stat sheet, but he played well in coverage when he had to do so. Again, he is able to handle this with ease. Covering and running in space is very natural for him.
— Toward the end of the game, when his team had its back against the wall, Faulk bowed up and changed the line of scrimmage on his way to 4 tackles on the key defensive series to give his offense a chance to tie the game. Faulk held Reeltown out of the end zone even after they crossed the 10 yard line.
— It was good to see Faulk play strong in the box and down on the line of scrimmage when the situation called for it. The impressive thing, once again, is when he is in the field and moving around. He is one of the more unique recruits in the country regardless of class. You won’t find this skillset and size combination hardly anywhere else.
