Auburn football saw its eighth player enter the spring transfer portal earlier this week, as reserve tight end Rico Walker announced his decision to leave the program after one season.
Walker originally signed with Maryland as a four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. He spent a year with the Terrapins, recording four receptions for 27 yards, before transferring to Auburn, where he appeared in five games but did not post any statistics.
According to reports from @chris_hummer and @mzenitz for CBS Sports and 247Sports, Walker is officially in the transfer portal. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound tight end joined Auburn last year after transferring from Maryland.
With veteran tight end Brandon Frazier returning and former Maryland player Preston Howard joining the team, Walker likely faced limited playing opportunities moving forward and is now seeking a better situation elsewhere.
In other Auburn tight end news, Luke Deal, a six-year veteran of the program, is continuing his football journey. Although he went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, he has received an invitation to attend the Detroit Lions’ rookie mini-camp.
Deal was respected for his leadership at Auburn, serving twice as a team captain and participating in various leadership and culture initiatives. Over his college career, he totaled 17 receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
NFL rookie mini-camps are typically three-day events combining practices and meetings, giving players a chance to showcase their potential. Deal will now try to earn a spot on the Lions’ offseason roster through this opportunity.
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