After a disappointing 2024 campaign in which Auburn went 5-7 — its fourth straight losing season — head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff reshaped the roster with a top 10 transfer portal class nationally.
The Tigers saw 20 departures from their 2024 roster but added 16 new faces through the transfer portal's winter window between Dec. 9 and Dec. 28. highlighted by some big names in the No. 4 class, according to 247Sports.
Here's a look at the Tigers' December portal haul.
Quarterback
Auburn will start off its 2025 season with a few fresh faces in the quarterback room following the departures of Payton Thorne, who exhausted his eligibility, along with Hank Brown and Walker White who opted to transfer out.
With that, Auburn brought in Jackson Arnold in December, the team’s highest-rated quarterback signee ever, based on high school recruiting rankings. Arnold was named 247Sports’ No. 8 player in the 2023 class and the 2022 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year at Guyer High School in Denton, Texas.
In nine starts with Oklahoma a season ago, Arnold threw for 1,421 yards with 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He added 444 yards with three touchdowns on the ground, including a career-high 131 yards in Oklahoma’s 24-3 win over No. 7 Alabama.
With an ultra-talented receiving corps and other key pieces around him, the Tigers believe Arnold can flourish into the quarterback of the future with two years of eligibility remaining.
Running Back
Looking to fill the void left behind from 1,000-yard rusher Jarquez Hunter, Durell Robinson makes the trek to the Plains as the lone portal pickup at the running back position after a highly-productive 2024 campaign with the UConn Huskies.
After one season at Charlotte, Robinson transferred to UConn as a redshirt freshman and rushed for 731 yards and eight touchdowns. His 6.8 yards per carry was the 12th highest mark in the FBS last season. He and teammate Camryn Edwards were the Huskies’ first 700-yard rushers since 2019.
Robinson will battle with Damari Alston, Jeremiah Cobb and Omar Mabson for carries heading into the spring.
Wide Receiver
Perhaps the biggest name headlining the Tigers’ portal haul, Eric Singleton Jr. will make his way to the Plains, joining an already talented and much-improved receiver room as he is looking to continue his productive ways as one of the best receivers in the nation.
Coming in as the No. 3 player in the 2024 portal class, the 5’11” sophomore recorded 1,428 yards and 10 touchdowns in his two seasons with Georgia Tech. The 2023 freshman All-American followed up a 714-yard and six touchdown 2023 campaign with 754 yards and three scores last season.
Joining him is Horatio Fields, who gives the Tigers a true option outside to pair with the likes of Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson as a nice rotational piece heading into the spring.
Tight End
Posting 189 yards on 24 receptions with Maryland last season, Preston Howard makes his way to the Plains as the Tigers look to replace Rivaldo Fairweather, Luke Deal and Micah Riley
He will arrive in the spring with two years of eligibility.
Offensive Line
The Tigers landed two massive additions through the portal this offseason as Freeze and offensive line coach Jake Thornton look to keep improving the front five — a must for any successful SEC program.
Perhaps the most pivotal offseason addition was Xavier Chaplain.
Making his way to Auburn from Virginia Tech as the No. 3 OT in the 247Sports’ transfer rankings, Chaplain will arrive on the Plains as an immediate plug-and-play guy for the Tigers up front. Starting at left tackle in his last two seasons with the Hokies, the 6'7", 325-pounder earned honorable mention all-ACC honors and was a third team All-American in 2023.
Along with Chaplain is Mason Murphy, who makes his way to the Tigers’ program as a graduate transfer from the University of Southern California.
Murphy played in 39 games making 22 starts for the Trojans from 2021-24. He started 12 games in 2024, all at right tackle. He’ll battle incumbent starter Izavion “Too Tall” Miller for the nod at right tackle in the spring.
Defensive Line/Edge
The Tigers brought in two signees along the defensive line following the departures of key guys such as Isaiah Raikes, Jayson Jones and Jalen McLeod off the edge. Dallas Walker Jr. joins from Western Kentucky with one year of eligibility as a true middle-guy for the Tigers. At 6’3”, Walker Jr. has tallied 49 tackles and four tackles for a loss throughout his career.
On the outside, the Tigers brought in Chris Murray, an experienced pass-rusher from Sam Houston. He recorded 52 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 26 games played at Sam Houston throughout the 2022-24 seasons. He posted 35 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2024, earning first team all-CUSA honors.
Linebacker
After one year at LSU, Xavier Atkins makes his way to the Plains as the Tigers’ lone pickup in the middle of the defense, teaming up with a talented but young group after the losses of Eugene Asante and Austin Keys in the linebacker room.
Atkins posted seven tackles in his one year with the Bayou Bengals and arrives with three years of eligibility remaining.
Defensive back
The Tigers added Raion Strader and Taye Seymour to the defensive backfield through the portal, strengthening a group considered to be a strong suit for Auburn heading into spring.
Previously with Miami (OH), Strader came in as the No. 5 corner in the 247Sports’ transfer rankings after posting 56 tackles, 13 pass breakups and two interceptions in 2024. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining.
A starter for Georgia Tech at the safety position a season ago, Seymour tallied 46 tackles, three tackles for loss and two pass breakups. He’ll have three years of eligibility remaining.
Special Teams
The Tigers saw their fair share of kicking struggles last season as freshman Towns McGough took over for incumbent starter Alex McPherson, who battled an illness throughout the year. Walk-on kicker Ian Vachon finished the year for the struggling McGough.
With that, the Tigers brought in walk-on Connor Gibbs from Southern Miss in hopes of more consistency, given that McPherson is not ready to suit up. Gibbs connected on 10 of his 13 field goal attempts and was 3-for-4 on attempts of 50+ yards. He was also 7-for-10 on extra point attempts. He’ll have three years of eligibility remaining.
At punter, the Tigers must replace Oscar Chapman after five years with the program, and they’ll do so with Hudson Kaak, previously with Oklahoma State. Kaak averaged 43 yards per punt and allowed just 43 return yards a season ago. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Logan Fowler is a Senior from Sumiton, Alabama and is majoring in journalism. He joined the Plainsman in Spring 2024.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @loganffowler
