One of the most productive linebackers in the college football transfer portal is set to terrorize SEC offenses this fall. Former North Texas standout Larry Nixon III has committed to the Auburn Tigers for the upcoming season.
Larry Nixon III Transfers to Auburn
A key component of the Mean Green defense for the past four seasons, Nixon entered the college transfer portal late in the spring window but found no shortage of interest. Offers from Power Five programs across the country came flooding in, but the impactful linebacker will transfer to Auburn for the 2023 college football campaign — with one year of eligibility.
Hugh Freeze’s team had competition from Miami (FL), and Cincinnati — amongst others — to land the former North Texas linebacker, who was named to the College Football Network All-CUSA first team following another outstanding campaign in what would ultimately be his final season for the Mean Green.
Nixon arrived in Denton as a two-star prospect out of Richland High School. He was a second-team all-district selection as a junior and showcased his ability to be an enforcer on defense during his final high school campaign. That season saw him tally 119 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.
MORE: Former North Texas WR Jyaire Shorter Transfers to Auburn
Despite his production, North Texas was his only collegiate offer, according to 247 Sports. After redshirting as a freshman in 2018, Nixon steadily increased his role and production for the Mean Green, culminating in a standout 2022 campaign that made him a hot prospect in the college football transfer portal.
In his final season in Denton, Nixon racked up 106 tackles — good enough for fourth in CUSA play. Meanwhile, he showcased his ability to penetrate the backfield by adding 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack to his blossoming college football résumé.
He was set to be North Texas’ leading returning tackler for the 2023 college football season. Instead, he’ll be taking his patient but impactful breed of linebacker play to Auburn. The Tigers also added former Ole Miss LB Austin Keys and LSU sophomore LB DeMario Tolan from the transfer portal in this cycle.
Nixon Quick Facts
- Class: Senior
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 236
- Hometown: North Richland Hills, TX
- Career solo tackles: 121
- Career total tackles: 245
- Career tackles for loss: 11.5
- Career sacks: 5.5
- Career pass breakups: 2
- Career forced fumbles: 2
