Richard Jibunor enters transfer portal

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AUBURN, Alabama — Auburn pass rusher Richard Jibunor is on the transfer market.

Jibunor entered the NCAA's transfer portal Saturday, two sources tell Auburn Undercover, but the circumstances for his apparent departure have not been made clear publicly. A request for comment from Auburn on Jibunor's departure was not immediately returned Saturday.

Jibunor's absence comes at a time when the Buck pass rusher's stock was on the rise after a brekaout freshman season in 2018. He was expected to compete for playing time, and potentially start, at the hybrid linebacker/defensive end position in the fall.


He played in the 2018 season opener against Washington, recorded his first sack in Week 2 and then later dropped an Arkansas quarterback for a 13-yard sack and fumble. He played much more often in the Music City Bowl as Nick Coe nursed a surgically-repaired thumb, and he didn't waste the opportunity as he split time with T.D. Moultry. He had a season-high five tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage, in the 63-14 blowout of Purdue.

The 6-foot-3, 218-pound Jibunor is a native of Nigeria and played high school sports at Athens Christian in Athens, Georgia. He played on offense and defense in high school and was also a two-time state champion in the 300-meter hurdles for the track team.

Jibunor had much to improve upon during spring practices in March and April, teammates said.


"He showed us speed, but he has to get better with hands and he’s got to be coachable," Moultry said at the time. "Because [defensive line coach] (Rodney Garner) can’t keep saying the same thing, and once he keeps saying the same thing, he’s going to give up on him. We don’t need that. He needs to play. He’s got too much talent."