Cam Coleman experienced two years of Hugh Freeze's play-calling, with Payton Thorne and Jackson Arnold, especially the latter, struggling to throw him downfield passes, and the offense devolving into checkdowns and stalled runs up the gut. The Phenix City product watched the offense get worse after a 5-7 season in 2024 was followed by another 5-7 season this past fall, but with no signature wins.
At least 2024 featured a barnburner win against the TAMU Aggies. The best win in 2025 was either the 5-7 Baylor Bears or the 2-10 Arkansas Razorbacks, the latter of which didn't win a game in the SEC all year. The other three came against Group of 5/FCS competition.
It's been a rough go on the Plains for Coleman, who has at least gotten paid handsomely despite having underwhelming counting stats by his gaudy standards coming from Central as a 5-star recruit.
Coleman may be getting those checks now, but they won't come at the NFL level if he continues to look like a first-round talent with a third-rounder's resume. There are big spenders on the market who can offer a lot more than just the chance to be the hometown hero.
Texas and Ohio State loom as threats to poach Auburn's Cam Coleman
Two of the biggest spenders in the country, the Texas Longhorns and Ohio State Buckeyes, should come calling for Coleman this offseason. With Arch Manning quarterbacking the former and Julian Sayin leading the latter, Austin and Columbus offer the chance to make more money now and in the future after shooting to the top of draft boards everywhere.
Texas Longhorns OnSI's Zach Dimmitt tabs Steve Sarkisian's offense producing multiple current NFL stars as a reason the Lone Star State is so appealing for a guy like Coleman.
"Matthew Golden, Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Worthy and Isaiah Bond have all received notable reps in the league this year, as it's clear the new standard at Texas is to produce NFL talent at wide receiver. Coleman would certainly add to this list if he decides to become a Longhorn," Dimmitt wrote.
That's all well and good, but the Buckeyes offer Coleman an even richer recent history of receivers making it in the pros and a chance to pair up with perhaps the best receiver in the country, Jeremiah Smith, if/when Carnell Tate declares for the 2026 NFL draft. CBS Sports' Chris Hummer heard that specific rumor while speaking to an industry source. A concrete plan that Coleman could see is quite the sell, and with Smith already in tow, the pressure wouldn't be present in Ohio like it would at Auburn or even Texas. It's unclear if OSU offensive coordinator Brian Hartline's exit changes anything. Hummer's reporting came before Hartline was hired by the USF Bulls on Wednesday.
Alex Golesh is going to win some and lose some as the Tigers' new head coach. While he's already being linked to exciting potential transfers like Alabama Crimson Tide WR Ryan Williams and Colorado Buffaloes LT Jordan Seaton, the reality is that Freeze's pitiful performance could, and likely will, result in Coleman looking elsewhere, and possibly landing elsewhere too.