On Thursday morning, Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers announced they had signed former Maryland linebacker Fa’Najae Gotay after snagging him through the transfer portal.
After spending six, yes six, years with the Terrapins, Gotay reportedly made his official transfer portal debut on June 10th, according to On3 Sports.
Gotay will use his COVID year of eligibility upon arriving at The Plains to begin his seventh season of collegiate football. In addition, Gotay was given a medical redshirt year in 2021 following a season-ending injury he suffered in Maryland’s season opener, and a redshirt year after playing in just four games as a true freshman in 2018.
Gotay totaled 133 tackles during his time at Maryland, including seven tackles for a loss, three sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.
After playing in all 13 of Maryland’s games in 2023, Gotay finished with 44 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, and 2.5 sacks. This was his most productive season to date. In addition, Gotay finished his season with a team-high six tackles against Auburn in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl, which led the Terrapins.
Previously regarded as a three-star prospect from North Fort Myers, Florida, Gotay chose to sign with Maryland over offers from other universities and colleges, including Arkansas, Appalachian State, Illinois, Liberty, Missouri, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and UCF.
Gotay joins former Duke linebacker Dorian Mausi Jr., who was signed in December and has just one year left of eligibility, as Auburn’s second linebacker to transfer this offseason.
With Eugene Asante, Austin Keys, and Robert Woodyard expected to return, Auburn’s linebacker depth is strengthened with the addition of Gotay and Mausi. Demarcus Riddick and DJ Barber, two talented rookie linebackers, were also signed by the Tigers.
Leave a Reply