Cody Sigler Is Emerging as Auburn's Breakout Defender Entering Fall Camp

The Auburn Tigers have a very important fall camp starting next week. 

And with that, plenty of position battles are in store for the team, with plenty of new players coming into the new regime led by head coach Alex Golesh. 

One of the biggest question marks entering spring and fall camp was who would step up on a new-looking defensive front, and it appears we have found an early breakout candidate. 

During a recent interview at SEC Media Days with Locked on Auburn host Zac Blackerby, Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown was very high on the defensive front heading into the season. 

"I know they can't hit you yet, but as far as the pass rush coming at you, is there somebody you always feel like, man, why is he always back here?" asked Blackerby. And without any hesitation, Brown quickly said, "That boy Sigler."

After spending last season at Arkansas State and the previous three years at West Alabama, he's heading to Auburn with plenty of experience already under his belt. Across his career, he's appeared in 33 games while making 22 starts, including starting all 11 games for Arkansas State in 2025. His breakout season earned him Second Team All-Sun Belt honors after finishing with 35 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, six pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He also heads to the Plains with momentum after turning in one of his best performances of the year in Arkansas State's bowl win over Missouri State, recording six tackles and 1.5 sacks. 

This isn't the first time Sigler's name has come up this offseason, and many are very bullish on his upside inside DJ Durkin's defensive system. What might have been seen as a weakness or concern following the closure of the transfer portal now could be one of the defensive strengths once Week 1 against the Baylor Bears arrives. 

The interior defensive trenches are the backbone of success within a Durkin defense. If they can control the double-teams and allow the linebackers to move freely, the Tigers defense can perform as designed and will be one of the best in the conference. 

In other words, players like Sigler must step up in a big way in order for Auburn to exceed expectations, and it looks like he is well on his way. 

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