Auburn football defensive end Keldric Faulk had to grow up in a hurry last season.

The plan was always for him to play some as a true freshman, especially after he enrolled early and proved he belonged throughout spring practice, summer workouts and fall camp. His recruiting ranking by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 74 overall player in the Class of 2023 was no fluke.

But what wasn't in the original plan was for him to play as much as he did, specifically early on. Maryland transfer Mosiah Nasili-Kite was supposed to hold things down at DE, but he tore his bicep against Georgia on Sept. 30 and was sidelined from there on out.

Suddenly, the Tigers found themselves having to rely on an inexperienced rookie for starting reps.

Faulk, who averaged 18.4 snaps over the first five games of 2023 and 43.6 over the final eight, used the opportunity to show he was capable. He finished the season with 24 "stops," which is a stat recorded by Pro Football Focus that keeps track of tackles that constitute a "failure" for the offense. That ranked No. 4 on the team behind standout veterans Eugene Asante (30), Marcus Harris (30) and Jalen McLeod (27).

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It wasn't just Faulk's physical abilities that gained the staff's trust. The former four-star prospect took care of his business off the field, trying his best to emulate Harris, who was drafted by the Houston Texans in the 2024 NFL Draft following a career season.

Faulk's rapid maturation was culminated with an invite to SEC Media Days earlier this month. He became the first true sophomore to ever represent the Tigers at the conference's premier offseason event: "It means a lot," Faulk said of the recognition. "It shows that I'm becoming a leader on my team, and I'm leading the right way on my team."

"Keldric has just had an incredible voice that people listen to, because he's wise for his age and his work ethic is incredible," Tigers coach Hugh Freeze said of his decision to take Faulk with him to Dallas. "I think it kind of sends a message that, man, this guy does everything."

Faulk's role will only grow heading into his second season. Harris is out, and despite Auburn's best efforts in the portal — transfer additions along the defensive line include Phillip Blidi (Indiana), Trill Carter (Texas), Gage Keys (Kansas) and Isaiah Raikes (USC) — the Tigers don't have an obvious alpha to replace him.

A sophomore jump could make Faulk that guy.

"Mentally, a lot is required," Faulk said when asked what it takes to play in the SEC. "You're going out there every Saturday, playing against some of the best players in college ball.

"A lot of people say the SEC is like the mini NFL. You've got so many NFL draft picks and NFL prospects you're playing against every week, you've got to play with your 'A' game. And you've got to practice like it's your last. So, mentally, it takes a lot of you. Physically, probably even more."

Faulk finished 2023 with 20 pressures, which ranked No. 4 on the team behind that same trio of Asante, Harris and McLeod. Auburn hasn't had a true freshman with 20 or more pressures since at least 2014, which is as far back as Pro Football Focus goes without skipping a season. The organization also has data for 2010, and there wasn't a true freshman on Auburn's roster with 20 or more pressures that season.

The Tigers need Faulk to continue rising. So far, he's checked every box.

"He is probably the most accountable guy that we have on the defensive side to this point," Freeze said of Faulk. "Now, I'm not saying others aren't. ... But Keldric's certainly deserving, as the others are, too."

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

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football: How Keldric Faulk has emerged as defensive leader