While there has been a mass exodus of talent from the Plains since Alex Golesh arrived as Auburn’s head coach, some good news finally came for the Tigers’ secondary as AnQuon Fegans and Eric Winters have announced they will return for the 2026 season.
As freshmen this past season, both players saw time at safety, with Fegans recording 24 total tackles, one pass broken up and one interception, while Winters posted 33 total tackles (24 solo) with two tackles for a loss, one sack and one pass broken up.
Winters was a 4-star prospect out of Enterprise, Ala., who chose the Tigers over rival Georgia and Miami (FL). He appeared in all 12 games for Auburn in 2025 and expects to be a starter going into the 2026 season while also seeing time as a kickoff returner on special teams.
A 4-star and No. 9 safety out of Alabaster, Ala., Fegans signed with the Tigers after choosing Auburn over rivals Alabama and Georgia along with Clemson and LSU. Like Winters, he appeared in all 12 games for DJ Durkin’s defense this season.
Other key players returning for Auburn
While these two are returning, Auburn’s secondary has taken some major hits due to the transfer portal, with Kayin Lee, Jay Crawford, Kensley Lindor-Faustin and Donovan Starr all deciding to see if there are greener pastures elsewhere. Lee and Crawford, both key pieces for Durkin’s defense the past two seasons, combined for 46 total tackles this past season.
Other key Tigers that have announced they will return for the 2026 season are linebacker Xavier Atkins, who was named a First Team All-SEC player this season, Demarcus Riddick, Blake Woodby and Elijah Melendez.
As of Saturday, 30 Auburn players have declared their intent to enter the portal, including former 5-star signees Deuce Knight and Cam Coleman.