Auburn's 2025 football season starts this week as the Tigers travel to Waco, Texas, to battle Baylor in the season opener. The Tigers are looking to rebound from a disappointing 5-7 season, and some believe the pieces are there for Hugh Freeze's team to make some noise.
With the transfer portal now a significant factor in college football, the Tigers will feature some new faces at key positions, including quarterback, this season.
While Freeze always says he doesn't believe in a depth chart, we do here at Fly War Eagle, so here's our projected starters and backups for the Tigers on offense when they take the field next Friday.
DEFENSIVE END
Keldric Faulk
Amaris Williams
Faulk has been everything people thought he would be when he arrived in Auburn two years ago. He's now the veteran leader on this defense in what will likely be his final season on the Plains. Can he put up All-American numbers? I'm not putting it past him.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Malik Blocton
Malik Autry
Jay Hardy
Blocton was solid in his freshman season, but now he must become a bigger playmaker for the Tigers. Autry, a local kid from Opelika, has a ton of upside as a freshman.
NOSE TACKLE
Bobby Jamison-Travis
Jourdin Crawford
Jamison-Travis has played some in his two seasons since arriving from JUCO, but hasn't been much of a difference maker. That has to change this season. Crawford is another highly touted freshman who could contribute early and often.
BUCK
Keyron Crawford
Jamonta Waller
Chris Murray
After transferring from Arkansas State, Crawford had some success for Auburn last season, including in the win against Texas A&M, where he made five total tackles, four of which were solo. Waller saw action in just one game as a freshman last year.
MIKE LINEBACKER
Robert Woodyard Jr.
Elijah Melendez
Woodyard showed some signs of being able to compete in the SEC last year, but he will need to step up significantly for DJ Durkin's defense. A freshman, Melendez is a player who plays at full speed and with a chip on his shoulder. Look for him to make some big hits on the field in the future.
WILL LINEBACKER
Demarcus Riddick
Xavier Atkins
CORNERBACK
Kayin Lee
Rayshawn Pleasant
It seems it wasn't that long ago when Lee was making plays as a freshman. Now, he's a veteran with a lot of experience under his belt. He's a tough corner against receivers.
CORNERBACK
Jay Crawford
Raion Strader
As a freshman last season, Crawford showed that he is SEC-ready. Strader, the 2024 MAC cornerback of the year, was a massive addition to the defensive backfield.
NICKEL
Sylvester Smith
AnQuon Fegans
Is this the year that Smith steps up and shows out? He will need to, as he is likely to take over the starter role. Fegans is an uber-talented freshman with great instincts for the game.
SAFETY
Kaleb Harris
Eric Winters
Another player thrown into action early as a freshman, Harris finished 2024 with 46 total tackles (30 solo), three passes broken up, one fumble forced and a tackle for a loss. Winters is another member of the 2025 signing class who will see action.
SAFETY
Champ Anthony
Jahquez Robinson
Anthony seemed to be onto a productive 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury against Arkansas. Now back and healthy, he's a key part of what this defense wants to do.