With a new head coach and staff coming in, plus the craziness of the transfer portal at the time, it was almost certain that Auburn would see massive roster turnover between the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Alex Golesh came to Auburn with a plan to help turn the Tigers’ program around after five straight losing seasons. While we won’t know how that plan works until Auburn takes the field this season, Auburn has seen many quality players leave the program for other greener pastures during this offseason.
But who will the Tigers likely miss the most? Here are the top five losses for Auburn in this year’s transfer portal.
1. Deuce Knight (QB)
Many will say that Cam Coleman, listed below, should be at the top spot, but while Knight has all four years of his eligibility left, Coleman is likely to go pro after just one season at Texas. Losing him to SEC rival Ole Miss, who the Tigers play this upcoming season, is another reason why his transfer hurts so much. Golesh has brought in Byrum Brown to be the guy at quarterback for the Tigers this season, but it could have easily been Knight who began what should be a great career as Auburn’s starter.
2. Cam Coleman (WR)
Losing the No. 1 player in the portal will always hurt. Losing an uber-talent like Coleman is going to hurt ten times as much. While he didn’t put up major numbers in his first two seasons at Auburn, much of that fell on the fact that he didn’t have a quarterback who could consistently deliver him the ball. Now teamed up with Arch Manning, it wouldn’t be a shock if Coleman doesn’t go for more than 1,000 receiving yards next season.
3. Amaris Williams (DL)
On the cusp of becoming a star, Williams took a knife to Auburn fans’ backs and ended up transferring to Georgia, where he will try to become the next great defensive lineman for the Bulldogs. As a sophomore, he showed signs of what could come in Athens, including his six tackles for a loss.
4. Eric Singleton Jr. (WR)
The receiver first announced that he was going pro, but stepped back and instead is heading to Gainesville to play under new coach Jon Sumrall. Singleton is another example of what could have been if Auburn had a potent passing game this past season, as he caught 58 passes for 538 yards and three touchdowns, two of those coming in the Week 2 rout of Ball State. He will get to play in Jordan-Hare Stadium one more time as the Gators come to the Plains this season.
5. Malik Blocton (DL)
Much like Williams, Blocton was still a work in progress during his two seasons on the Plains and was ready for a breakout 2026. Now, he will be trying to create havoc under Lane Kiffin at LSU. Look for his numbers to grow this upcoming season as he gets even more playing time.