Auburn Secures CBS‑Ranked Transfer Da'Shawn Womack as 2026 Edge Threat

Context Auburn’s defensive line lost two primary edge rushers to the NFL after the 2025 season. The Tigers turned to the transfer market, signing Da'Shawn Womack, a Baltimore native who split his recent playing time between LSU and Ole Miss. Analysts view the move as a strategic effort to sustain pass‑rush production without a rebuilding lag.

Key Facts - CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford placed Womack in his list of the 26 most important transfers for the 2026 college football season. - In 15 games for Ole Miss last year, Womack logged 295 snaps, delivering 19 pressures, 13 quarterback hurries, 27 tackles and two sacks. - He and sophomore Jared Smith are tasked with replacing Faulk and Crawford, who together recorded 65 tackles, seven sacks and 73 pressures in 2025. - Womack’s snap count over his final two SEC seasons totals 395, indicating limited but impactful usage against high‑level competition.

What It Means Womack’s arrival gives Auburn a proven, if under‑utilized, pass‑rusher who can generate disruption without needing a full season to adapt. His 19 pressures suggest an ability to collapse the pocket, a skill that aligns with Auburn’s aggressive defensive scheme. Paired with Smith, the duo could collectively approach the 73 pressures produced by the departing pair, narrowing the gap in back‑end production.

Auburn’s coaching staff will likely integrate Womack early, leveraging his experience in three College Football Playoff games to mentor younger linemen. If he matches or exceeds his Ole Miss output, the Tigers could maintain a top‑10 edge rush ranking in the SEC, a conference where quarterback pressure often decides outcomes.

Looking Ahead Watch Auburn’s defensive line rotations in the season opener; early snap counts will reveal how quickly Womack assumes a starter role and whether his pressure rate improves the Tigers’ pass‑rush efficiency.