Every player that leaves via the transfer portal has at least some value to a football program, but let’s face it: some departures have massive implications, while others can be replaced immediately.
With 19 players (so far) intending to leave Auburn via the transfer portal this offseason, here are the five that Alex Golesh and the Tigers will likely miss the most.
Malcolm Simmons (WR)
If the Simmons that showed up in the final two games – eight receptions, 292 yards, two touchdowns – shows up for a full year next season, then this is clearly the top guy that Auburn’s offense will miss. His struggles early in the season are understandable, considering how lethargic and dysfunctional Auburn was on that side of the ball. Someone is going to get a player with the potential to be a superstar.
Kayin Lee (CB)
A mainstay since his first days in an Auburn uniform, Lee appeared in all but one game in three seasons and handled being thrown into the fire as a freshman in 2023 well. His numbers were down a smidge this past season, but whoever he signs with will get a bona fide starter in their secondary.
Jay Crawford (CB)
Good luck, DeMarcus Van Dyke. Your first job at Auburn as the new cornerbacks coach is replacing the two starters from last year’s squad. Crawford is another young player (he will be a junior) who has plenty of experience to go to another program and produce immediately.
Horatio Fields (WR)
Fields was brought in from Georgia Tech to give Auburn quarterbacks another option outside of Cam Coleman, Eric Singleton and Simmons, but a broken foot in late September cost him the rest of the season. He would have been a massive threat next season had he returned.
Ashton Daniels (QB)*
This one comes with an asterisk as news broke on Monday that USF quarterback Byrum Brown, the Bulls’ starter for three seasons under Golesh, intends to enter the portal and presumably join his old coach on the Plains. If somehow this doesn’t work out, and there’s no reason to believe it won’t, Daniels’ absence could be massive.
Honorable Mention: Amaris Williams (DL), Perry Thompson (WR)