The Auburn Tigers' new head football coach, Alex Golesh, is coming to the Plains with a clear mission to improve this team immediately. AL.com's Jerry Humphrey III believes he's coming in with so much momentum that it's not unrealistic to think he can land some of the biggest transfers in the portal this January.
Humphrey linked Auburn to Alabama Crimson Tide receiver Ryan Williams, who once heavily considered the Tigers to form the "Freeze Five" with fellow in-state blue-chip WRs Cam Coleman, Malcolm Simmons, Perry Thompson, and Bryce Cain and whose role has dwindled in Tuscaloosa, and Colorado Buffaloes left tackle Jordan Seaton, who is likely leaving Boulder after a 3-9 season and no clear plan in place for things to get better.
"This may sound bold to Alabama fans, but after seeing Ryan Williams’ lack of production in the 2025 Iron Bowl, it raises questions about what’s actually going on in Tuscaloosa," Humphrey prefaced before saying, "Williams had zero targets in the 27-20 victory over Auburn last weekend and played just 37 of 73 offensive snaps. Williams led Alabama with 865 yards and eight touchdowns on 48 receptions during his freshman season last year. Through 11 games in the 2025 season, he had 40 catches for 598 yards and four touchdowns.
"Prior to signing with Alabama in the 2023 recruiting class, Williams heavily considered Auburn after his dad Ryan Williams Sr. signed with Auburn in 2007. If Golesh can lure Williams back to Auburn, it will be viewed as one of the biggest recruiting coups in the state.
"With the offensive tackle position being one of the most sought-after spots in the portal, a number of potential suitors will be trying to land Seaton if he does enter his name.
"For Auburn, the Tigers will be losing starters such as Mason Murphy, Izavion Miller, Dillon Wade and Jeremiah Wright. Landing Seaton will help Golesh a lot in building the Tigers new offensive identity."
Auburn even being linked to Ryan Williams and Jordan Seaton is a win for Alex Golesh
Of course, Golesh can come up empty for both of them. Landing one would be a boon, while landing both would be a coup.
The fact that he's being linked to both a Mobile-area receiver Nick Saban valued highly, and a blindside tackle whose commitment to Colorado convinced many that Deion Sanders was serious about building something with the Buffs and not just there to coach his sons and Travis Hunter and collect paychecks, though, is quite the positive narrative in the former USF Bulls head coach's favor.