The Auburn football coaching staff has been working hard to rebuild the talent level on the Plains since Head Coach Hugh Freeze arrived. Alongside pulling in two back-to-back top ten high school classes, the Tigers' staff have been hard at work in the transfer portal to fill the gaps.
While transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold and transfer wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. are receiving most of the hype, CBS Sports points out that transfer offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin is getting plenty of buzz in the preseason, especially when it comes to his potential in the NFL.
An All-American in 2023 and an honorable mention All-ACC selection last season, Chaplin spent two years at Virginia Tech and started for the Hokies in all 12 games in 2024.
The Tigers have been working on building up the offensive line over the past several years after an OL recruiting drought, but the position group is set to be one of the strongest heading into the 2025 season. CBS Sports provided a quote from one Auburn source who sent a strong message on what Chaplin contributes to the group.
"When you see this kid in person, it's like Laremy Tunsil," an Auburn source said. "He's a freak. He's not as wide as Laremy but you're talking about the same body mass ratio and all. He's a legit NFL tackle. For sure. He's the best-looking offensive lineman that's walked through our doors in the last three years. He's legit and a stud."
Chaplin missed all of the Tigers' spring training while rehabbing a shoulder injury, but the offensive tackle has been cleared for the summer and fall and is set to take up a starting role in the trenches at left tackle.