(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

The Auburn Tigers made a HUGE pickup this offseason.

Any guesses who it was?

Gus Malzahn? No.

Tracy Rocker? No.

DeAngelo Benton? Emory Blake? Tyrik Rollison?

No, no, and no.

Give up?

Too bad. Thanks for playing.

I'll tell you what, though. I'll give you the answer.

Yes, for free.

Huh? No. No strings attached.

Here it is.....

Auburn picked up a linebacker this offseason. Not just any linebacker. This guy is All-SEC caliber.

His name?

Travis Williams.

I guess I'll go ahead and answer your questions. Yes, that Travis Williams. No, he isn't eligible to play another year.

For those that don't know, Travis Williams was a three-year starter at linebacker for Auburn. He was an integral part of the 2004 Tigers defense that helped Auburn achieve a perfect season. In that same year, he was selected first-team All-SEC despite playing his position at just over 200 pounds.

As a player, Williams was known for making big hits and even bigger plays. He had a short professional stint with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons which, three herniated discs later, came to an abrupt end.

After his playing career was over, Travis volunteered as a coach at Spring Valley (SC) High, his alma mater.

Then, before he knew it, Williams was hired as defensive graduate assistant at his other alma mater, Auburn University.

Travis Williams can bring a lot of things to the table: Hard work, determination, tenacity, knowledge of the game, experience, etc.

All of these traits, however, pale in comparison to one thing. Williams will bring leadership, not from himself, but from something...higher.

In 2004, the entire Auburn football team rallied around a song. A hymn to be more exact.

The name of this hymn was "Hard Fighting Soldier."

The 2004 Auburn team was not about individuals. It was not about records, awards, stats, or even wins. They wanted to do one thing every single game: Glorify God.

It was with the help of this newfound collective belief that the Tigers persevered.

Soon, the entire Auburn community, and many others, had heard of this.

It was then that our fans were united. It was then that our players became a team.

This is what Travis Williams will bring to the Auburn Tigers.

A winning attitude.

A sense of leadership.

A higher purpose.

"I'm a hard fighting soldier, on the battlefield

I've got a helmet on my head, in my hand a sword and shield

You gotta walk right, talk right, sing right, pray right, on the battlefield

I keep on bringing souls to Jesus by the service that I give.

I'm a hard fighting soldier on the battlefield."

War Eagle Travis Williams. Welcome home.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?