The Auburn Tigers have now hit Tuesday of their mock game week as Alex Golesh and his team prepare in full for Baylor while the season opener inches closer.
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It is a chance for the team to get into a routine and see how the Tigers will utilize their impact players to make a difference come Sept. 5.
In light of that, it’s time for another reveal in the Impacting Auburn series, a ranking compiled by the Auburn Undercover staff of who it thinks will be the players that are difference makers on the field.
As a disclaimer, the poll was tabulated by rankings sent in from four people on the Auburn Undercover staff—Tyler Raley, Ryan Bartow, Caleb Jones and Jay Douglas. The rankings each person sent in were averaged, with the lowest score going at the top of the list.
The list has now reached the No. 12 spot, which is held by a player that is a veteran transfer and is seeking to create havoc in opposing backfields. Da’Shawn Womack is part of an aggressive defensive line, one that Vontrell King-Williams is constantly getting more energy out of.
General information:
Year: Senior
Position: Edge rusher
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 265 pounds
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Performance in 2025:
Womack did not earn a starting role in his lone year with Ole Miss, but saw action in each of the Rebels’ 15 games as they made a run to the College Football Playoff semifinals, losing in the Fiesta Bowl to Miami.
In his time in Oxford, the big man recorded 27 total tackles with two sacks and one forced fumble, still making a point to create a statement despite not getting the most playing time.
Womack notched multiple tackles in seven of those 15 games, with three of those coming against SEC opponents. His most productive game in terms of tackles came in Ole Miss’ season opener against Georgia State, when he recorded six tackles.
The senior did end his campaign off on a high note though, as in his final four games with the Rebels, he put up 11 of those 27 total tackles, powered by four each against Mississippi State and Tulane.
Womack’s tackle numbers put him third in terms of defensive ends and edge rushers on Ole Miss, behind Princewill Umanmielen and Kam Franklin. He finished fifth among the defensive line unit and 14th in the defense as a whole.
Preseason camp intel:
A lot of rotations have been made across the defense as a whole as the coaches were constantly looking for what works with the versatility Auburn has on defense.
That also has come as a result of health, and while it has not been the main reason for Womack’s movement sometimes, it is notable.
With the announcement of J.J. Faulk being out for the regular season after having surgery on Wednesday, Aug. 19, the maneuvering of players along the edge to build proper depth has become that much more critical.
Nonetheless, Coleman Hutzler has spoken highly of what Womack has done, and he has been worked at both edge positions during preseason camp.
Womack has also seemingly been a strong mentor to some of the younger guys, which includes a player in his position group like sophomore Jared Smith, who has noticed Womack’s hard work. It has inspired him to go even harder in practices.
“He's been in college for a while,” Smith said. “Learning from him. During (individuals), he just goes so hard. If I'm watching him go hard, why don't I go hard?”
Womack and Nate Johnson are the two seniors of the group, both having been transfers from SEC programs.
Those two have been getting a heavy amount of looks in reps, but are likely to be a part of a constant rotation as the staff tries to keep health in mind throughout the season.
Impacting Auburn ranking
No. 12 - Da’Shawn Womack
No. 13 - Rayshawn Pleasant
No. 14 - Alex McPherson
No. 15 - Cole Best
No. 16 - Eric Winters
No. 17 - AnQuon Fegans
No. 18 - Omar Mabson II
No. 19 - Jake Johnson
No. 20 - Sylvester Smith-Reed
What do you say? Leave your thoughts on our board below.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
