With the 2024 season wrapped up and the transfer portal open, let’s look at the roster and the positions Auburn could target in the portal.
Quarterback
• Walker White (RS FR)
• Deuce Knight (FR)
This room will need two portal quarterbacks. Auburn is looking at former Stanford QB Ashton Daniels, who is originally from Buford HS (GA), as a potential backup option. Next season’s starting quarterback is not yet on the roster, and all signs point to the Tigers looking to spend big this offseason at this position.
Duke QB Malik Murphy is visiting Auburn on Wednesday. Jackson Arnold, a potential tier-one QB candidate, will visit Auburn on Friday.
Running back
• Damari Alston (SR)
• Jeremiah Cobb (JR)
• Alvin Henderson (FR)
• Justin Jones (SR)
Auburn already has two visits lined up at the RB position: Ahmad Hardy of ULM and Durrell Robinson of UConn. This room needs just one more body. Another interesting name to watch is recently reclassified Auburn High School RB Omar Mabson.
Receiver
• Cam Coleman (SO)
• Malcom Simmons (SO)
• Perry Thompson (SO)
• Bryce Cain (RS FR)
• Derick (Duke) Smith (FR)
• Sam Turner (FR)
• Erick Smith (FR)
Auburn will be big-game hunting at this position. They will likely look for a KeAndre Lambert-Smith replacement and potentially another depth piece as well. So far, names reported as having interest are Eric Singleton from Georgia Tech and Horatio Fields from Wake Forest.
Tight end
• Brandon Fraizer (SR)
• Rico Walker (JR)
• Ryan Ghea (FR)
• Hollis Davidson (FR)
• Reed Hughes (SR)
Auburn will look to add another TE to the room through the portal as they are losing Rivaldo Fairweather, Luke Deal, and Micah Riley. Early on, a name to track is former Oklahoma TE Bauer Sharp, who is originally from the state.
Offensive tackle
• Dillon Wade (SR)
• Tyler Johnson (SO)
• Seth Wilfred (JR)
• Favour Edwin (RS FR)
• Clay Wedin (SO)
• Brody Shull (FR)
The tackle position is one Auburn definitely needs to get right this time around. Last year, they whiffed on Percy Lewis, and that miss affected them all season long. Expect to see the Tigers pursue a major addition here. One to two players would be a good haul.
As of right now, North Carolina OT Howard Sampson is planning on visiting. He was an All-ACC honorable mention. Another visitor is former Northwestern OT Josh Thompson.
Offensive guard
• Bradyn Joiner (SO)
• Jeremiah Wright (SR)
• Dylan Senda (SO)
• Jaden Muskrat (SR)
• Deandre Carter (RS FR)
• Tai Buster (FR)
• Jacobe Ward (FR)
Auburn will look to upgrade this room as well. They have a visit set up with Arizona’s Wendell Moe. He would be a solid addition and most likely an immediate starter. It’s likely Auburn will only target one interior player.
Center
• Connor Lew (JR)
• Tate Johnson (SR)
• Kail Ellis (FR)
With the addition of true freshman Kail Ellis, who reclassified to join the 2025 class, Auburn is likely done at the center position.
EDGE
• Keyron Crawford (SR)
• Amaris Williams (SO)
• Jamonta Waller (RS FR)
• Joe Phillips (RS FR)
• Jared Smith (FR)
Auburn is expected to add one player at the edge position. They have recently offered Coastal Carolina edge rusher Clev Lubin, who recorded 9.5 sacks last season. One addition should be sufficient for this group.
Defensive line
• Keldric Faulk (JR)
• Zykevious Walker (SR)
• Malik Blocton (SO)
• Bobby Travis (SR)
• Darron Reed (SO)
• Malik Autry (FR)
• Jourdin Crawford (FR)
• Antonio Coleman (FR)
• Darrion Smith (FR)
The interior of the defensive line is generally split into more technical categories, but for simplicity, we’ll lump them together here. Expect Auburn to land at least one nose-tackle-type player.
That player could be Western Kentucky DT Dallas Walker IV. Auburn has also recently offered James Thompson from Wisconsin. Overall, expect a minimum of two defensive linemen to be added.
Linebacker
• Demarcus Riddick (SO)
• Robert Woodyard (JR)
• DJ Barber (RS FR)
• Laquan Robinson (JR)
• Ja’Kaleb Faulk (FR)
• Elijah Melendez (FR)
• Bryce Deas (FR)
Auburn will likely look to add up to two linebackers, depending on how they feel about the young players in the room. Fresno State transfer Phoenix Jackson is one to watch, as he has set a visit. He had the highest PFF coverage grade among linebackers in the nation last year.
Cornerback
• Kayin Lee (JR)
• Jay Crawford (SO)
• Champ Anthony (SR)
• Kensley Faustin (SO)
• Tyler Scott (SO)
• JC Hart (SO)
• Amon Lane Ganus (RS FR)
• Blake Woodby (FR)
• Donovan Starr (FR)
• Devin Williams (FR)
Auburn is expected to look for a quality addition at this position. One addition should suffice, depending on the depth at nickel. If the Tigers feel confident in their depth behind Champ Anthony, they may not pursue another nickel. For now, expect Auburn to target one outside corner. Former UCF CB Chasen Johnson plans to visit Auburn.
Defensive back
• Kaleb Harris (SO)
• Jahquez Robinson (SR)
• CJ Johnson (SO)
• Sylvester Smith (SO)
• Terrence Love (JR)
• Anquon (Newboy) Fegans (FR)
• Eric Winters (FR)
Auburn is excited about its freshman haul at the safety position but will need to replace Jerrin Thompson. The Tigers have set up a visit with Jacksonville State transfer Zechariah Poyser. Auburn will likely add just one player to this room.
Kicker
• Alex McPherson (SO)
• Towns McGough (SO)
• Ian Vachon (JR)
If McPherson isn’t healthy enough to kick next season, this is a position Auburn will certainly look to upgrade. Kicking arguably cost Auburn a game or two last year.
Punter
• John Alan McGuire (FR)
Unless Auburn is blown away by someone, they should be fine with incoming freshman John Alan McGuire at the punter position.