Keldric Faulk receives Auburn’s 2026 Cliff Hare Award

Former Auburn football standout Keldric Faulk received the 2026 Cliff Hare Award during Saturday’s game at Jordan-Hare Stadium, earning the highest honor presented to an Auburn student-athlete.

The award has been presented annually since 1958 to a senior student-athlete recognized for academic and athletic success, leadership, integrity and courage. It honors Clifford Leroy Hare, who played on Auburn’s first football team in 1892. Hare later served as the university’s dean of chemistry and president of the Southern Conference, which became the SEC.

Faulk was joined on Pat Dye Field by his mother, Lakendral Barnes, his younger brother, Auburn linebacker J.J. Faulk, and his sister, Erica. He said sharing the ceremony with his family meant “the entire world” to him.

Cliff Hare, the grandson of the award’s namesake, presented the honor. Hare praised Faulk’s character, work ethic and leadership, saying the former team captain consistently helped keep his teammates up.

Faulk started 32 consecutive games at Auburn and served as a team captain. Tennessee selected him in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he recorded his first sack for the Titans in September.

The award ceremony completed a full day back on the Plains for Faulk. He served as Auburn’s honorary mic man before the game and later joined head coach Alex Golesh in the locker room following the Tigers’ comeback victory over Arkansas.

Faulk said he was grateful that others recognized how he approaches football and daily life. During his visit with Auburn’s current team, the former captain received an award recognizing performance, leadership and character.

Why it matters

Faulk started 32 consecutive games and served as an Auburn team captain. The award recognizes his academic and athletic success along with leadership, integrity and courage.