AUBURN AUTHORITY

Auburn linebacker Khari Harding transfers to Tulsa

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Auburn linebacker Khari Harding has transferred to Tulsa

AUBURN -- Backup linebacker Khari Harding has left Auburn after two years and transferred to Tulsa, Hurricanes coach Philip Montgomery announced Wednesday.

Harding, a native of Edmond, Oklahoma, posted a message via Instagram saying he was leaving the Plains to be closer to home for "family reasons."

"Wanna thank coach Malzahn, other coaches, teammates and all my friends for making Auburn a great experience my first 2 years in college," Harding wrote. "I've gained so much from all yall but I had to come closer home for family reasons. We always gon [sic] family."

A 6-foot-1 225-pound linebacker, Harding had four tackles while appearing in five games the past two seasons.

"We want to thank Khari for his time at Auburn and wish him nothing but the best," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement.

Harding has enrolled at Tulsa, where he will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Harding made 109 tackles and three interceptions his senior season at Edmond Santa Fe High School, where he earned all-state honors by the Tulsa World and The Oklahoman. Harding was ranked as the No. 3 player in the state of Oklahoma and No. 31 defensive back in the nation by 247Sports in 2013.