The Auburn Tigers have had a quiet offseason by and large. Some are expecting more of the same from AU during the 2026 season, that is, losing a lot of football games, with first-year head coach Alex Golesh needing to restock the cupboards after a mass transfer portal exodus.
CBS Sports' Brad Crawford is not among the pessimists. In fact, Crawford listed the Tigers as one of several potential CFP crashers among a group of programs that had a heavy overhaul in the transfer portal.
Crawford shouted out the usual suspects -- USF Bulls transfer quarterback Byrum Brown, returning All-SEC linebacker Xavier Atkins, returning RB1 Jeremiah Cobb -- but also listed a curious transfer who hasn't gotten much hype this offseason, Arkansas State Red Wolves transfer defensive tackle Cody Sigler, to make his case.
"Tailback Jeremiah Cobb is Auburn's only returning starter offensively as the Alex Golesh era begins on The Plains. After winning big at South Florida following his tenure as Tennessee's offensive mastermind, Golesh brings with him several of his top players from the Bulls, including Brown -- his dual-threat quarterback -- and a bevy of pass-catchers. There are fewer unknowns on D.J. Durkin's side of the football, which should be the Tigers' team strength this fall. Xavier Atkins is a returning All-SEC linebacker and one of Auburn's defensive MVPs during the spring. Sigler adds noticeable power in the middle of the defense," Crawford wrote.
Cody Sigler brings raw power to the DT spot
Sigler was a three-tech at Arkansas State, using a relentless motor to power his way into the backfield. At over 300 pounds, Sigler has the size to be a one-tech, though he is at his best bum-rushing the quarterback and stopping running backs behind the line of scrimmage.
There are questions about Sigler's ability to adapt to SEC defenders, which is a legitimate worry. After all, there's no greater difference in stepping up competitively in college football than in the trenches. Still, that means Sigler gets to benefit from playing next to nose tackle monsters like Dallas Walker IV, Jourdin Crawford, and Malik Autry.
Vontrell King-Williams will play a major role
For years, Auburn has been a problem for opposing offenses. Particularly, the run-stopping on the Plains has been elite. DJ Durkin's specialty is the linebacker position, but Vontrell King-Williams has been slowly rising through the ranks to become one of the coaching staff's most valuable pieces.
VKW started as a DT coach with the Tigers but has since taken over the entire DL. Run-stopping has been the team's strength during that time. Auburn had 79 total TFLs during the 2025 season, which was a strong mark, but one that can be improved upon.
Bringing on an athlete like Sigler can help, but only if he has counters to well-executed blocking schemes that limit his initial rush. That's where VKW's development comes in handy.
We'll see if VKW can take another step forward in his climb up the coaching ladder this fall. Sigler's development could help launch VKW onto the map if everything breaks right.
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