Top-10 edge Keldric Faulk has eye-opening visit to Auburn, strong bond with Roc Bellantoni
Highland Home (Ala.) four-star edge Keldric Faulk had low expectations for his visit to Auburn on Monday.
So low that Faulk almost didn’t go.
“I almost stayed home, but I had already planned the trip so I wasn’t going to back out,” Faulk said. “With what happened to Coach (Bryan) Harsin, I thought there would be some division within the staff and within the team and just division overall.”
Faulk admits he was wrong.
“I went with an open mind to see if it was what I thought it would be or if it was something different,” Faulk said. “And it was totally something different, and in a great way. They were more together than I ever thought. Their team is pulled together and there isn’t any telling what that team can do. They plan on doing big things and I think they’re going to do it.
“It made me feel good. I’m actually speechless because I was so sketchy about it. It was way better than what I thought it would be.”
Strong bond with Roc Bellantoni
Faulk had the opportunity to meet with several of the coaches, including edge coach Roc Bellantoni. The two have developed a strong bond throughout Auburn’s recruitment of Faulk.
The bond grew stronger on Monday.
“Coach Roc is a real awesome dude,” Faulk said. “I’ve gotten to know him on the phone and through messages and he’s just a real awesome dude. He’s a real honest dude, real straightforward.”
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Faulk had the chance to see Bellantoni in action as he watched the Tigers practice. Faulk likely would learn and play under Bellantoni should he sign with Auburn.
“I went out there and watched him coach and he teaches his guys the right things,” Faulk said. “They like to drop the edge rusher back in coverage depending on what the play call is, and he adjusts to what their style is and what they feel comfortable doing. He’s just a great coach.”
Auburn ‘definitely a factor’
Following the visit, Faulk said Auburn is very much in contention for him.
“My point of view is so different after the visit,” Faulk said. “I’m really happy I went. Auburn definitely will be a factor for me now. I’ll definitely be back.”
The On3 Consensus ranks Faulk the No. 78 overall recruit in the 2023 class, the No. 9 edge and No. 9 recruit in Alabama.
Faulk currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $16,700. The NIL Valuation is comprised of a number of dynamic data points that focus on two primary factors – an athlete’s social media presence and their level of athletic performance.
[ On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) favors Auburn, FSU ]
