Auburn LB Barber arrested on drug charges

Auburn, AL — Auburn linebacker Robert “RJ” Barber, a member of the Tigers’ 2026 recruiting class and one of the more promising young defenders in the Southeast, was arrested early Tuesday morning in connection with drug-related charges dating back to an alleged incident from when he was 16 years old, sources confirmed.

The arrest was made by authorities in Columbus, Georgia, and extradition proceedings are underway to transfer Barber to Lee County, Alabama, where further legal proceedings are expected. The charges, which include possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, stem from an incident originally investigated in late 2023, while Barber was still in high school.

The news comes as a shock to the Auburn football program, which had touted Barber as a key piece of its future defensive plans. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker, known for his sideline-to-sideline quickness and hard-hitting style, committed to Auburn earlier this year and had been expected to early enroll in January 2026.

At the time of his commitment, Barber was regarded as a high-upside 4-star recruit out of LaGrange High School (GA), holding offers from programs including Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and South Carolina.

Sources inside Auburn’s athletic department say the school was unaware of any pending criminal investigations or sealed records connected to Barber when he was evaluated and recruited.

“This is a deeply unfortunate situation,” one Auburn source said on condition of anonymity. “We are still gathering information and will let the legal process play out before commenting further.”

According to preliminary records obtained from Muscogee County Court, Barber was part of a juvenile investigation when he was 16, after police responded to a traffic stop that resulted in the seizure of narcotics, cash, and drug-related equipment. However, due to Barber’s age at the time, juvenile privacy laws sealed the majority of the records—until now.

What changed appears to be Barber turning 18 years old earlier this summer. In Georgia, certain juvenile records can be unsealed or reclassified when individuals reach adulthood, especially in cases involving controlled substances or if the alleged offenses were deemed part of organized criminal activity.

“We’ve seen a trend across the Southeast where former juveniles are now facing adult-level charges for unresolved cases,” said legal analyst Thomas K. Hawthorne. “It’s legally murky, but permissible depending on how the initial evidence was handled.”

While Barber is not yet enrolled at Auburn, his status as a verbal commit means the program is still within its rights to rescind the offer should it choose. However, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze has built a reputation for offering second chances when appropriate, provided the student-athlete takes responsibility and demonstrates growth.

That said, sources close to the coaching staff indicate that Auburn’s administration will closely monitor the legal process and await further clarity before making a final decision on Barber’s future.

“We preach discipline, accountability, and redemption,” said one source. “But facts have to come first.”

For Freeze, this situation presents a complex challenge. Since arriving at Auburn, he’s worked diligently to rebuild the program’s culture and public image while elevating its recruiting profile. While Barber’s on-field talent is without question, the off-field issue now forces a critical choice: stand by a young man with a troubled past, or move forward without him to protect the program’s reputation.

Freeze has not yet released an official comment, though he is expected to be asked about the situation at SEC Media Days later this month.

Barber’s arrest may also impact Auburn’s 2026 recruiting momentum, especially as the Tigers had recently landed a string of key defensive pledges. While most of Auburn’s current commits are firm, rival programs could attempt to use the news to question Auburn’s evaluation process.

Still, some analysts say the program’s transparency and speed in addressing the matter could mitigate potential reputational damage.

“It’s not the mistake—it’s how you handle it,” said recruiting expert Sam Spiegelman. “If Auburn moves quickly and decisively, it can still protect the overall image of its class.”

Before this week’s developments, RJ Barber was widely seen as one of the more intriguing linebacker prospects in the region. Scouting reports highlighted his:

• Strong instincts
• Downhill explosiveness
• Versatility in both 4-3 and 3-4 looks
• Leadership presence on the field

During his junior season, Barber logged:

• 115 tackles
• 9 tackles for loss
• 3 sacks
• 1 interception
• 2 forced fumbles

He was also an honors student at LaGrange and a team captain, which makes this situation even more surprising to those who knew him personally.

Family members of Barber released a brief statement through a local attorney, asking for patience and privacy.

“RJ is a young man who has made mistakes, like many others. He deserves the opportunity to defend himself and show growth. We ask the public not to rush to judgment.”

Those who coached Barber in high school were similarly stunned.

“He was always respectful, always on time, always gave 110%,” said LaGrange head coach Preston Simms. “Whatever happened before—he’s worked hard to become a better version of himself. I hope people see that.”

Barber is currently being held in Columbus pending a preliminary hearing. His legal team is reportedly working to get the charges reduced or dismissed, possibly citing due process issues tied to the timing of the reclassification from juvenile to adult court.

Whether or not Barber ever suits up in an Auburn uniform remains unknown. What is clear, however, is that this development will force Hugh Freeze and Auburn’s leadership to evaluate both legal liability and moral responsibility.

There is no official word yet on whether Auburn plans to pull the scholarship offer, but a decision could come within the next two weeks.

College football has always wrestled with the tension between talent and conduct. In the case of RJ Barber, Auburn now sits at the crossroads of compassion, accountability, and policy.

Can a young man with a troubled past become a leader in the right program?
Or will the baggage be too heavy to carry onto the Plains?

Only time — and the courts — will decide.