AUBURN — New Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze is keeping four-star defensive lineman Keldric Faulk in the state.

Faulk, who played high school football less than 70 miles away from Jordan-Hare Stadium at Highland Home, signed to be a part of Auburn's 2023 recruiting class Wednesday. He flipped to the Tigers from FSU, where he had been committed since July. The 247Sports Composite has Faulk slotted as the No. 81 overall player in the nation and the 10th-best defensive lineman.

His addition to Auburn is huge for the staff, not only because of his highly-ranked status, but also because of the position he plays. The Tigers saw a number of impact players on their defensive front from last season − Colby Wooden, Derick Hall and Marquis Burks − declare for the NFL Draft. Other defensive linemen to sign to Auburn so far include four-stars Darron Reed and Wilky Denaud and three-star Stephen Johnson.

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Faulk visited Auburn numerous times since he was first offered by the program in April 2021. Before he committed to FSU, he saw offers come in from Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi State, LSU, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida and Alabama, among others.

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football lands Keldric Faulk, a flip from FSU, on signing day