Appalachian State transfer pass rusher Jalen McLeod commits to Auburn football

AUBURN — Auburn football's defense is getting some help.

Appalachian State pass rusher Jalen McLeod announced his commitment to the Tigers via social media Tuesday. He joins coach Hugh Freeze's team after spending spending three seasons with the Mountaineers, with his most productive campaign coming in 2022.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound McLeod totaled 41 tackles, six sacks and a pass deflection last season. He also forced two fumbles and recovered one in 11 appearances.

KEEPING TABS: Auburn football transfer portal tracker: Here's who Tigers added, lost in second window

HUGH FREEZE: How Auburn football coach has been handling slow-moving second portal window

NFL DRAFT: How experts graded every Auburn football player taken in 2023 NFL Draft

In his lone game against SEC competition, McLeod logged three tackles, two sacks and forced two fumbles to help Appalachian State upset Texas A&M on Sept. 10.

McLeod was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2020 out of Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C. He was rated by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 1,640 player in the country and the 68th-best outside linebacker in his cycle.

The Tigers have had 10 players hit the transfer portal since spring practice finished April 8. One of those departures was pass rusher Dylan Brooks, who announced April 29 that he was officially in the portal. Other notable players that've left include defensive lineman Jeffrey M'ba (Purdue) and wide receivers Tar'Varish Dawson (Colorado) and Landen King.

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: Jalen McLeod: Auburn football lands commitment from transfer edge