Auburn placed a lot of emphasis on the defensive line heading into the spring portal. Auburn has added a transfer to strengthen the inside for the second straight day.

Isaiah Raikes, who transferred from Texas A&M to attend USC for the spring semester, has declared his intention to attend Auburn. Raikes visited the Plains in the first portal window and gave Auburn serious thought, but ultimately decided to go to USC. Now that D.J. Durkin, his former defensive coordinator, is in charge at Auburn, Raikes rejoins him and supports him at a critical position.

Philip Blidi, a former Indiana fifth-year senior transfer, was signed by defensive line coach Vanderll King-Williams on Sunday. Blidi is anticipated to play the 3-tech. Listed as 6 feet 2 inches and 320 pounds, Raikes split his snaps almost 50-50 between nose tackle and 3-tech defensive tackle.

A rising fifth-year senior from New Jersey, Raikes has appeared in 38 games over the last four seasons, with four starts. He’s tallied 43 career tackles, with three tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble this season. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

The defensive line was Auburn’s first priority once the spring portal window opened. King-Williams and Hugh Freeze now clarify that by bringing in two large figures to expand the space. Beginning on Sunday, Auburn welcomed former Arkansas State edge rusher Keyron Crawford to campus as part of their efforts to bring another or two buck linebackers via the portal this season.