With the transfer portal opening on January 2, new Auburn head coach Alex Golesh is looking to rebuild his first roster on the Plains, as close to 30 players have decided to leave the Tigers this offseason.
While there are needs at every position, the most critical for Golesh and his staff are currently at quarterback, wide receiver, offensive line and secondary, where the Tigers have taken massive hits. The departures of all three signal-callers from last year’s roster, plus the majority of receiving yards leaving for other programs, including Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr., have made it vital for Golesh to find new talent at the playmaker positions.
As the transfer portal remains open, we will update who has decided to come to Auburn and where former Tigers are going for the 2026 season.
INCOMING
Locklan Hewlett (QB) - USF
Served as a backup to Byrum Brown for the Bulls last season, appearing in two games in which he completed seven passes for 90 yards and a touchdown with a pick.
Hudson Powell (LS) - Miami, Ohio
Appeared in all 13 games for RedHawks.
Gavin Jenkins (CB) - USF
Appeared in four games for the Bulls in 2025, recording five total tackles.
Kory Pettigrew (WR) - USF
Caught three passes for 28 yards in three games as a freshman.
Christian Neptune (WR) - USF
In 11 games as a freshman, Neptune caught 38 passes for 335 yards and a touchdown while also spending time on special teams as a returner.
Jonathan Echols (TE) - USF
Caught nine passes for 109 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.
Nykahi Davenport (RB) - USF
In 11 games, rushes for 612 yards and seven touchdowns on 98 attempts while catching five passes for 50 yards.
Jeremiah Koger (WR) - USF
A star for USF as a freshman, Koger caught 38 passes for 597 yards and eight touchdowns.
Fred Gaskin III (S) - USF
Recorded 53 total tackles, three tackles for a loss, one sack and forced one fumble while picking off two passes and coming up with two fumble recoveries in 2025.
Byrum Brown (QB) - USF
One of the top quarterbacks in the portal, Brown will rejoin Golesh at Auburn and try to recreate their success that they had with the Bulls. In 2025, Brown threw for 3,158 yards and 28 touchdowns to seven interceptions, while also rushing for 1,008 yards and 14 scores.
Xavier Newsom (TE) - Howard
Chas Nimrod (WR) - USF
The former Tennessee signee caught 23 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns in seven games for the Bulls in 2025.
DEPARTING
Jay Crawford (CB) - Ole Miss
As a sophomore, Crawford recorded 15 total tackles, four passes broken up, one interception and one sack.
Caleb Wheatland (LB) - Michigan State
Played in three games as a freshman, recording one tackle.