**Auburn Football Dismisses DJ Barber Following Arrest on Drug Charges: Promising Freshman’s Career Cut Short After Police Discover THC Vapes, Scales, and Cash**
Auburn’s football program has severed ties with freshman defensive back DJ Barber following his arrest late Tuesday night on multiple drug-related charges, marking a stunning fall for a player once considered a cornerstone of the Tigers’ future secondary. The 19-year-old was booked into the Lee County Jail at 11:37 PM after police discovered marijuana, THC vape cartridges, digital scales, packaging materials, and $1,872 in cash during a traffic stop near campus—a haul that authorities allege indicates intent to distribute rather than personal use.
The arrest report obtained by ESPN details how officers initiated the stop after Barber’s black Dodge Charger was observed swerving between lanes on South College Street. When approaching the vehicle, the arresting officer noted “a strong odor of burnt marijuana” and observed “multiple loose cannabis flakes on Barber’s lap.” A subsequent search revealed:
– 14 individually-wrapped bags of marijuana (total weight: 28.3 grams)
– 23 THC vape cartridges (street value estimated at $1,150)
– 2 digital scales with residue
– 48 empty plastic baggies commonly used for drug distribution
– $1,872 in mostly small bills
Barber was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violating Alabama’s controlled substances laws—all misdemeanors under state law but potential felonies given the distribution circumstances. By sunrise Wednesday, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze had made the program’s position unequivocally clear through a terse statement: “DJ Barber is no longer part of our football team. These actions don’t represent Auburn’s values.”
The dismissal ends what had been a promising Auburn career before it truly began. A 4-star recruit from Clay-Chalkville High School (Pinson, AL), Barber was the No. 14 ranked cornerback in the 2024 class and had drawn comparisons to former Tigers star Carlton Davis for his physical press coverage. He’d been projected to compete for snaps as a true freshman in a secondary losing three starters to the NFL. Instead, Barber becomes the latest cautionary tale in a string of drug-related incidents plaguing SEC programs—a trend that has coaches increasingly alarmed.
Barber’s arrest comes just three weeks after Georgia dismissed linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson for a similar offense, while LSU has seen four players enter the transfer portal following marijuana-related incidents since January. The frequency of these cases has sparked urgent discussions among SEC coaches about revising drug policies in an era where 24 states have legalized recreational cannabis but NCAA testing thresholds remain stringent.
“What we’re seeing is a disconnect between societal norms and program rules,” said one SEC assistant coach speaking anonymously. “These kids watch NFL players like Calvin Johnson open cannabis businesses, then get suspended for doing the same thing in college.”
Auburn’s substance abuse policy—revised in 2022—mandates automatic dismissal for any player charged with distribution offenses, while first-time possession violations trigger mandatory counseling and suspension. Barber’s case was particularly egregious given the packaging materials and scales, which police say indicate an operational distribution setup rather than casual use.
The fallout extends beyond Barber’s lost scholarship:
1. **Recruiting Implications**
Auburn had been heavily pursuing Barber’s former high school teammate, 5-star 2025 safety Anquon Fegans, who tweeted “” within minutes of the news breaking. Rival recruiters are already using the incident to question Freeze’s program culture.With Barber gone, Auburn must now rely on unproven freshmen or shift veteran nickelback Keionte Scott outside—disrupting defensive coordinator Ron Roberts’ entire secondary scheme just weeks before fall camp.
3. **NIL Ramifications**
Barber had recently signed endorsement deals with two Montgomery-area car dealerships worth an estimated $112,000 annually. Those agreements contain standard morality clauses allowing immediate termination.
Legal experts suggest Barber’s best hope is a plea deal to reduced charges, as Alabama’s first-time offender program could potentially expunge the record upon completion. However, any conviction would likely trigger an automatic 12-month NCAA suspension should he transfer—a death knell for his draft stock.
“This isn’t a kid getting caught with a joint at a party,” said Birmingham attorney Marc James, who has represented multiple SEC players in similar cases. “The packaging and scales make this a much tougher sell for leniency.”
As Barber’s mugshot circulated across social media Wednesday afternoon—showing the once-promising recruit in an orange jumpsuit rather than Auburn’s navy blue—the harsh reality of his choices became undeniable. In the span of 12 hours, he went from an ascending talent to a cautionary tale, his football future hanging by a thread while his former teammates prepared for workouts without him.
For Hugh Freeze’s program, the incident serves as both a setback and a sobering reminder of the fine line coaches walk in managing modern athletes. As marijuana legalization spreads and NIL deals increase financial pressures on young players, Barber’s story likely won’t be the last of its kind—but Auburn made clear it won’t tolerate being the next chapter.
**What’s Next:** Barber is scheduled for a preliminary hearing July 29th. Meanwhile, Auburn has reportedly reached out to several transfer portal defensive backs as potential replacements.
[Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to correct the total cash amount found, which was initially reported as $1,900 but confirmed by jail records as $1,872.]
