A trio of former Auburn players will start their careers in the Big Apple after not being selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Offensive linemen Austin Golson and Darius James, as well as linebacker Tre' Williams, all signed with the New York Jets as undrafted free agents following the completion of the draft.

A versatile offensive lineman, Golson played all five positions across the line during his time at Auburn -- six, if you include the Tigers' heavy packages with Golson lined up as an extra lineman -- and was a starter for 38 games between 2015-17.

A native of Prattville, Golson began his career at Ole Miss in 2013 before transferring to Auburn. He sat out the 2014 season due to NCAA transfer rules before taking over as Auburn's starting center in 2015. The following season, Golson began the year at left tackle, making four starts there, before being reinserted as the Tigers' starting center for the final nine games at center.

As a senior last season, the 6-foot-5, 304-pound Golson truly showed off his versatility, starting games at center, left tackle, left guard and right tackle while proving to be key to the Tigers' ever-changing offensive line. Golson started four games at center, seven at left tackle, two at left guard and two at right tackle last season, earning praise for his ability to plug-and-play at any position along the line.

While Auburn coach Gus Malzahn admitted last month that Golson's development would have been better had he stuck at one position throughout his career, both Malzahn and Golson believe the lineman's versatility and ability to play multiple positions well will serve him well in the NFL, where teams only carry eight or nine linemen on the roster.

Golson was a third-team All-SEC selection as a senior and appeared in both the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl after the season, though he did not earn an invite to the NFL Combine. Given his opportunity at Auburn's pro day, Golson shined in front of NFL scouts, putting up 27 reps on the bench press and recording a 9-foot-1-inch broad jump, both of which would have tied for eighth among offensive linemen at the Combine. His 5.2 in the 40 and his 28.5-inch vertical jump would have tied for 10th and 14th among lineman at the Combine, respectively.

Williams, a two-year starter at linebacker for Auburn, had 50 tackles with 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in 11 games last season. Over the last two seasons, he was one of the Tigers' most productive defensive players when healthy.

He participated at the Senior Bowl but did not get invited to the Combine, though his results in the physical tests at Auburn's pro day compared well to this year's linebacker class. Williams performed 21 bench press reps, which would've tied for eighth among 25 linebackers at the Combine, had a 9-foot-10-inch broad jump (12th of 22), a 34.5-inch vertical jump (13th of 21) and 4.75-second 40-yard dash (tied for 20th of 27).



A former five-star recruit out of St. Paul's in Mobile, Williams coped with a right shoulder injury all of last season. He finished his college career with 188 tackles with 10 for loss including 3.5 sacks in 36 games, including 10 career starts.

James, a 6-foot-4, 327-pound tackle, was a two-year starter on the exterior line for Auburn after transferring from Texas following the 2014 season. James appeared in 26 games over the last two seasons, including eight starts at left tackle in 2016 and 12 starts at right tackle last season.

James, who did not receive an NFL Combine invite, put up 30 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press as Auburn's pro day, which would have tied for fifth among offensive linemen at the Combine. He also had a 24-inch vertical jump, ran a 5.32 in the 40 and had an 8-foot-2-inch broad jump.

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