After a 2024 season that left many Auburn fans disappointed, the Auburn football team is ready to bounce back in 2025. In the ever-evolving world of college football, the transfer portal can help a program meet its team's needs and improve in just one offseason. The Tigers took advantage of the portal this past winter and spring, starting training camp with a top-10 class to go along with their top-10 freshman recruiting class. As the season kicks off tomorrow night, here are a couple of new faces fans will want to know this season.
Offense
Quarterback: Jackson Arnold
When talking about this year’s newcomers, Arnold is the first name that comes to mind. The rising junior, one of Auburn’s most talked-about offseason acquisitions, is a household name around the country. Arnold, a five-star recruit out of high school and conference rival Oklahoma’s starter for most of last year, is coming off a disappointing season. Auburn hopes to be the breath of fresh air Arnold has been looking for. Between Auburn’s young stars and Arnold’s mobility and arm talent, the sky is the limit for the Tiger offense this season.
Wide Receiver: Eric Singleton Jr
Singleton, also a junior, was one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal after leading Georgia Tech during his sophomore season. Singleton, who had 754 yards last year, can play inside or out and is known for his speed and explosiveness off the line of scrimmage. He was a versatile player for Georgia Tech last year, running end-arounds, screens, slants, crossers and deep posts. His advanced route tree and speed make him practically unguardable. The addition of Singleton, plus returning sophomore Cam Coleman, bodes well for the wide receiver room this season.
Wide Receiver: Horatio Fields
The senior transfer from Wake Forest falls under the radar in conversations with Singleton and Coleman but is also an exciting acquisition for the Tigers. Fields, an athletic outside receiver, has a wide catch radius, often wins on the outside and can haul in all kinds of catches in one-on-one situations. Head coach Hugh Freeze referred to Fields as the “father figure” in the receiver room, and the Tigers seem excited for his veteran leadership on and off the field.
Left Tackle: Xavier Chaplin
Chaplin, a senior transferring from Virginia Tech, was one of the most coveted offensive linemen in the transfer portal this offseason. The starter for the Hokies earned honorable mention All-ACC honors last season. He will play a key role in protecting Arnold’s blind side and leading the Tigers’ offensive line, which had its struggles in the 2024 season.
Defense
EDGE: Chris Murray
Murray was one of the more productive pass rushers in the portal, finishing last year with 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. The senior from Sam Houston State earned first-team Conference USA honors and will rotate in behind veteran Keyron Crawford. Murray is expected to have a large impact on the Tigers’ defense, bringing an energy that will inspire.
LB: Xavier Atkins
The LSU transfer did not see as much action as he’d hoped in his freshman season and will likely be pushing for time early this season. The former four-star recruit has had a strong summer and fall camp presence and is rumored to be seeing some time at the weakside linebacker spot. According to Auburn’s most recently released depth chart, Atkins could potentially start and will split reps with freshman Elijah Melendez.
LB: Elijah Melendez
Melendez, a true freshman, is a four-star recruit out of Florida who is expected to share time with Atkins at weakside linebacker. Melendez has done well for himself in fall camp, impressing Freeze.
"You don't even view these guys as freshmen anymore, and they're not playing like it," said Freeze.
With such a young group of linebackers, there is a lot of pressure for players to step up quickly, but Melendez and Atkins appear up to the challenge.
CB/KR: Rashawn Pleasant
Pleasant will be impactful on both defense and offense for Auburn this year. The junior transfer was the starting cornerback as well as the starting kick returner for Tulane last year.
Overall, this is a pivotal season for Hugh Freeze and the Auburn program, something fans have heard all offseason. The Tigers return key players who have built the foundation for this team, but in today’s game, newcomers — especially transfers — can make or break a season. Auburn added plenty of talent through the transfer portal, and the roster may be as deep and skilled as it has been in years. Friday night will be the first test of how the Tigers perform with their mix of veterans and new additions.
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