Defensive lineman Paul James III is no longer with Auburn's football team, head coach Gus Malzahn announced Thursday before the start of spring practice.

James, a 6-foot-3, 260-pounder, played in nine games last season and totaled nine tackles, including one for a loss while seeing time at defensive end and Buck.

James spent two years at Auburn after transferring in from Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He appeared in three games in 2016 before sustaining a season-ending knee injury.

He returned last spring and earned A-Day defensive MVP honors after finishing with four total tackles, including three for a loss and one sack.

AL.com will update this post.

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.