Another Tiger has entered the transfer portal.
Calvin Ashley, a former five-star offensive tackle from the class of 2017 and one of the highest rated offensive line prospects in Auburn history, has entered the NCAA transfer portal, Ashley announced Monday morning.
"After much thought and consideration and talking to my family, I have decided to enter my name in the NCAA transfer portal and will explore my options," Ashley wrote on Twitter. "I would like to thank the great fans and the coaching staff at Auburn for believing in me. To my teammates/brothers, I will indeed miss the moments shared with you all and wish you all the best."
A redshirt freshman, Ashley missed the second half of Auburn's 2018 season with an undisclosed medical issue. Before that, the Orlando product appeared in five games, including a start in a road loss to Mississippi State while starting right tackle Jack Driscoll was sidelined with an injury.
With Auburn's starting offensive line set to possibly consist of all seniors next season (Prince Tega Wanogho, left tackle; Marquel Harrell, left guard; Kaleb Kim, center; Mike Horton, right guard; Driscoll, right tackle), Ashley would likely have to wait until 2020 to become a fixture among the starting five.
Since 2013, Gus Malzahn's first year as head coach on The Plains, Auburn has signed nine five-star prospects. Of that group, three have transferred or intend to transfer (Roc Thomas, Byron Cowart, Ashley).
Ashley becomes the fourth Tiger to enter the transfer portal this offseason. Backup defensive lineman Jaunta'vius Johnson was picked up by Colorado as a graduate transfer, backup receiver James Owen Moss' name is reportedly still in the portal and reserve receiver Griffin King reportedly entered his name into the portal last month.
The 2017 Mr. Football in Alabama, Asa Martin, also left the program in December after the Auburn coaching staff burned Martin's redshirt this past season after promising Martin and his family to keep it in tact.
With his name in the transfer portal, Ashley is allowed to freely speak with other programs. He can choose to return to Auburn and not transfer, however, Malzahn is not required to honor the scholarship.
Auburn spring practice begins March 18, with the team's annual A-Day spring game set for April 13 at 3 p.m. CST inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.
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Nathan King, senior in journalism with a minor in business, is The Plainsman's sports editor.
