Although this year’s A-Day is set to be a practice, excitement remains high in anticipation of Saturday. The 2025 Tigers, featuring a mix of returning players and fresh faces, are ready to hit the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium in front of fans for the first time this year.
Coming off a 5-7 season with a 2-6 record in conference play, head coach Hugh Freeze has fans eager to see whether he can steer the team toward improvement. This spring, Auburn has shown noticeable strides on both sides of the ball, pairing a more efficient offense with an aggressive, versatile defense. Fans will get their first real glimpse of the team's potential Saturday as both units aim to showcase their progress and set the tone for a stronger season under Freeze’s leadership.
With so many new and promising players appearing on the Plains this season — alongside key returners — here are a few Tigers to watch during Saturday’s practice.
Who to Watch: Offense
Jackson Arnold, QB
Arnold is one of the most high-profile quarterback transfers Auburn landed this offseason. He enrolled early to participate in spring football. A five-star recruit out of Denton, Texas, he was the No. 4 quarterback in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports. In 2024 at Oklahoma, Arnold completed 62.6% of his passes for 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also rushing for 444 yards and three scores.
Deuce Knight, QB
Knight, a true freshman and early enrollee, is looking to make an impression in the quarterback room this spring. The lefty from Mississippi brings a dynamic, dual-threat skill set to Auburn. Although he hasn’t played in a college game yet, he arrived on campus with plenty of buzz after throwing for more than 2,000 yards and rushing for nearly 700 as a high school senior.
Cam Coleman, WR
Coleman made an immediate impact as a true freshman last season, becoming a key playmaker in Auburn's offense. He appeared in 11 games, recording 37 receptions for 598 yards and eight touchdowns. Notably, his 598 receiving yards rank third among Auburn's all-time freshman receivers. He had standout performances against Texas A&M, with seven receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns, and against Alabama, where he notched seven catches for 78 yards and a score.
Eric Singleton Jr., WR
Singleton Jr. is a versatile wide receiver who transferred from Georgia Tech in January. At Georgia Tech, he recorded 48 receptions for 714 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman in 2023. He built on that in 2024, tallying 56 catches for 754 yards and three touchdowns. His consistent production earned him Freshman All-America honors in 2023. Singleton Jr. enrolled early at Auburn and is expected to be a key contributor in the receiving corps this season.
Sam Turner, WR
Turner is an athletic wide receiver who joined Auburn in January. A four-star recruit from Decatur, Georgia, he attended Southwest DeKalb High School, where he set the school’s career record for receiving touchdowns. As a senior, he tallied 61 receptions for 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns, earning all-state honors and being named the county’s offensive player of the year. He enrolled early and is expected to play a significant role in Auburn’s offensive efforts this season.
Who to Watch: Defense
Keldric Faulk, DL
Faulk enters his junior season as a pivotal member of Auburn’s defense and one of the top defensive linemen in the country. In 2024, he appeared in 12 games and recorded 45 total tackles, including 29 solo stops. He also notched 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks, establishing himself as a disruptive pass rusher. Faulk earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following his performance against Kentucky. With a full offseason to continue his development, he is expected to take on an even more influential role in 2025.
Demarcus Riddick, LB
Riddick, a standout linebacker, enters his sophomore season after a strong freshman campaign. In 2024, he appeared in all 12 games and recorded 27 tackles, including five tackles for loss and three sacks. His performance earned him a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team. Riddick’s consistent contributions were highlighted by a team-leading six-tackle effort, including a sack, against Oklahoma. He is expected to be a key player in Auburn’s defense this fall.
Malik Blocton, DL
Blocton is a promising defensive lineman entering his sophomore season. As a true freshman in 2024, he played in nine games and recorded 11 tackles, including three for loss and 1.5 sacks. His performance earned him True Freshman All-America honors. Blocton is the younger brother of former Auburn defensive lineman Marcus Harris, now with the New England Patriots. After enrolling early in January 2024, he gained valuable experience that is expected to translate into an increased role this season.
Malik Autry, DL
Autry is one of the exciting new additions to Auburn’s defensive front. A five-star recruit from nearby Opelika, he was ranked as the No. 8 player in Alabama. During his high school career, he tallied 152 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 19 sacks, consistently applying pressure on opposing offenses. Autry enrolled early in January and is already making his presence felt during spring practices as he looks to carve out a role this season.
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