Former Auburn DL Daquan Newkirk announces SEC transfer destination

Less than a week after Daquan Newkirk announced “forever in my heart, war eagle” as news emerged that he would enter the transfer portal, the former Auburn defensive lineman has announced his transfer destination.

An Orlando, Florida native, Newkirk tweeted that was “coming home” and that he would join the Florida Gators. He thanked several Florida coaches and added, “It’s a honor to be coming home, thank you … let’s get to work @GatorsFB !!!”

This past season, Newkirk had 28 tackles, including 3 TFL, 1.5 sacks and 3 quarterback hurries. The 6-foot-3 and 317-pound defensive tackle was a JUCO transfer to Auburn from Mississippi Gulf Coast CC.

Newkirk will be a graduate transfer for the Gators. He started all 10 regular season games for Auburn at defensive tackle after he battled injuries earlier in his career. He did not play in the Citrus Bowl game against Northwestern.

This is the second addition to the Gators defensive line after Penn State transfer Antonio Shelton made the move to Gainesville.

While a 247Sports 3-star prospect, he was nationally ranked as a top 10 overall JUCO prospect by 247Sports.

It’s a honor to be coming home, thank you @CoachDanMullen @coachdt48 @CoachTGrantham @coachcrimedawg let’s get to work @GatorsFB !!! pic.twitter.com/okLPdtWKvR

— Daquan Newkirk (@holdthat_2) January 14, 2021

To be continued… I got more dawg in me. pic.twitter.com/6CKipanWLJ

— Daquan Newkirk (@holdthat_2) January 12, 2021

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.