Auburn Football – Page 2 – Syndication Server

Former Tiger Camden Brown commits to Georgia Southern

Brown finished his Tiger career with 26 receptions, 289 receiving yards, and three touchdowns

One of the longest-tenured Tigers on Auburn’s offesnse will be departing for another school next season. Junior wide receiver [autotag]Camden Brown[/autotag] announced he would be taking his talents to Georgia Southern on Wednesday.

A contributor on the Auburn offense since 2022, Brown finished his Tiger career with 26 receptions, 289 receiving yards, and a trio of scores. Unfortunately most of that production came in his first two seasons on the Plains, as Brown had just 7 receptions for 61 yards in 2024 playing behind Auburn’s abundance of other talented pass catchers.

With most of those pass catchers set to return as the top options in 2025, Brown will travel a state over to play at Georgia Southern, where the senior will likely have his biggest role of his college career. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound big body receiver has all the physical tools and big-game experience to thrive in the Sun Belt, especially for a team that could be a piece or two away from winning the conference next season.

As for Auburn, Brown’s departure further cements incoming sophomores [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] and [autotag]Malcolm Simmons[/autotag] as the top two options for either [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], [autotag]Deuce Knight[/autotag], or [autotag]Ashton Daniels[/autotag] next season. Second-year receivers [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag] and [autotag]Bryce Cain[/autotag] are also candidates to see a larger role in 2025, while freshman [autotag]Derick Smith[/autotag] could also push for a starting spot as soon as he touches down on the Plains.

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Amaris Williams changes course, elects to stay with Auburn

Williams briefly considered entering the transfer portal after his debut season on the Plains.

Auburn fans can breathe a sigh of relief as a key true freshman has backed off his intent to enter the transfer portal.

Earlier this week, it was reported that freshman EDGE Amaris Williams filed the paperwork necessary to enter the transfer portal. After taking a couple of days to weigh options, Williams announced Tuesday that he will change course and stay with Auburn for the 2025 season.

As a freshman, Williams recorded seven tackles with 0.5 sacks. Williams was Auburn’s 13th-highest-graded defensive player in 2024 according to Pro Football Focus (71.2), with tackling being his strong suit at 78.3. He logged five total pressures last season in 120 snaps over 10 games.

The news of his return is important for Auburn football as he is expected to fill the role of outgoing EDGE Jalen McLeod, who logged 106 tackles and 13.5 sacks over the last two seasons for Auburn. With the return of Williams, [autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag], and [autotag]Zykeivous Walker[/autotag], along with the signing of five-star EDGE [autotag]Jared Smith[/autotag], the EDGE position will continue to be a strong point within the Tigers’ defense.

The only question surrounding Auburn’s EDGE rushers is “Who will lead the position group?” Hugh Freeze is looking to fill the slot of EDGE coach following the departure of [autotag]Josh Aldridge[/autotag], who accepted the defensive coordinator position at ECU earlier this week.

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Auburn adds former USC tackle Mason Murphy from transfer portal

Matt Zemek of Trojans Wire sheds light on what Auburn fans can expect from Murphy following his commitment.

Auburn fans woke Tuesday to the news that an experienced offensive lineman would join.

[autotag]Mason Murphy[/autotag], a 22-game starter for the USC Trojans at right tackle, announced his commitment to Auburn on Tuesday morning. His commitment is welcomed as head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and offensive line coach [autotag]Jake Thornton[/autotag] are searching for a replacement at right tackle for the outgoing [autotag]Izavion Miller[/autotag].

What exactly is Auburn getting in Murphy? We asked Matt Zemek of Trojans Wire for insight on Murphy’s time in Los Angeles, and he delivered.

Murphy started all 12 of USC’s games this season, with his best game coming in the Trojans’ 42-20 win over Rutgers on Oct. 25. Pro Football Focus graded his performance 81.0 overall, with an 83.6 in pass blocking. However, he failed to grade above 71.0 in his remaining 11 starts, which caused frustration among the USC fanbase according to Zemek.

“Maybe (Thornton) can create improvements from Murphy, but USC fans winced (and probably yelled with anger) when Murphy made key mistakes which kneecapped the Trojans in 2024,” Zemek said.

Several of Murphy’s mistakes included losing a block against Minnesota on Oct. 5, which forced a momentum-swinging interception that led to a Trojan loss. Murphy also committed four false start penalties in USC’s loss to Washington on Nov. 2.

However, Zemek feels Murphy could become a high-level player with great coaching.

“To be fair to Auburn, USC offensive line coach Josh Henson has not done a good job with the Trojans,” Zemek said. “If Auburn thinks it can coach Murphy better than Henson did at USC, this could all work out. If that was the thought process behind this pickup, it makes sense. Just beware: Mason Murphy was not part of the solution at USC.”

Last season, Izavion Miller earned a grade of 64.4 from Pro Football Focus after allowing 17 pressures with four sacks in 570 snaps at right tackle. However, two key linemen: [autotag]Dillon Wade[/autotag] and [autotag]Connor Lew[/autotag], were graded above 70 for the season.

Murphy will compete alongside Virginia Tech transfer [autotag]Xavier Chaplin[/autotag] for the role of Auburn’s starting right tackle this spring. Chaplin committed to Auburn Monday after starting 25 games at left tackle for the Hokies over the last two seasons.

FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt weighs in on Auburn’s addition of Jackson Arnold

Will Arnold find success on the Plains?

Auburn football may have found its replacement at quarterback in former Oklahoma signal-caller [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag].

Arnold signed with Auburn from the transfer portal on Saturday following a successful visit to the Plains. In an interview with Auburn Undercover, Arnold shared that Auburn’s history and the perspective of being developed led him to sign.

“For me, I think the opportunity here to go out and play at a high level and on a national stage,” Arnold said following his commitment to Auburn. “(Auburn senior offensive analyst Jesse Stone) was telling me that Auburn is one of six programs to play for two national championships in the past 20 years, you’re playing at a high level. You’re going to get developed and you’re going to play in front of a huge crowd that’s passionate about their team.”

After a rocky tenure at Oklahoma, will Arnold turn his career around in Auburn? One FOX Sports analyst says there is still hope for the former five-star quarterback to end his collegiate career positively.

Joel Klatt recently joined an episode of “The Next Round” podcast to discuss several topics surrounding college football, including Auburn’s addition of Arnold. Klatt feels that Auburn will bring out hidden aspects to Arnold’s game.

“I think he can have a lot of success, it remains to be seen,” Klatt said.

Part of Arnold’s shaky season in Norman was due to him being benched following a poor start against Tennessee. He was later re-inserted as the starter, but could not build consistency due to injuries affecting his supporting cast. Klatt feels that if Arnold has a long memory, it could affect his abilities on the Plains.

“My biggest question is going to be his confidence,” Klatt said. “I’m wondering what happened to his psyche during the course of this year.”

Arnold joins former Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels as a new addition to Auburn’s QB room from the transfer portal. The pair, plus five-star signee [autotag]Deuce Knight[/autotag], will compete for Auburn’s starting quarterback job this spring.

Ex-Stanford QB Ashton Daniels commits to Auburn

Daniels commits to Auburn after making 20 starts for the Stanford Cardinal.

Auburn will bring zero scholarship quarterbacks from the 2024 season into 2025 and the coaching staff is working quickly to fill the void.

Two days after landing the signature of former Oklahoma quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], Hayes Fawcett of On3 reports that Auburn has grabbed the commitment of another experienced quarterback in [autotag]Ashton Daniels[/autotag], formerly of Stanford.

Daniels was the first name to emerge once the winter transfer portal opened on Dec. 6. Steve Wiltfong of On3 submitted a prediction that favored Auburn landing the 20-game starter from Stanford following an interview in which Daniels said he could “be a spark” to the young wide receivers.

Daniels will enter an expected stiff competition between Arnold and five-star signee [autotag]Deuce Knight[/autotag] for the right to be named QB1 for the 2025 season. In three seasons at Stanford, Daniels passed for 3,986 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for an additional 1,121 yards and nine scores.

Daniels’ addition brings confidence to the RPO game, as [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] now has three mobile quarterbacks on his roster. Three dual-threat quarterbacks will open play-calling and give Auburn more opportunities to win close games.

Former Auburn quarterback Zach Calzada enters transfer portal

Will Calzada return to the FBS level after a successful stay at Incarnate Word?

Former Auburn Tiger and Texas A&M Aggie [autotag]Zach Calzada[/autotag] has entered the transfer portal for the third time in his career according to a report by On3’s Pete Nakos. After spending his first two seasons with the Aggies, Calzada transferred to Auburn in 2023, where he did not see the field.

The Buford, Georgia native then took his talents to Incarnate Word, where he passed for 6,342 yards and 54 touchdowns in two years. Calzada led the Cardinals to an 11-3 season in 2024. They would go on to win the Southland Conference before losing to FCS behemoth South Dakota State in the Quarterfinals of the playoffs.

Now 24 years old, the former three-star prospect will look to not only move back to an FBS program but likely a Power 4 program as well to finish out his seven-year collegiate career. While he hasn’t played meaningful FBS football since 2021 with the Aggies, Calzada could turn the momentum he picked up over the last two seasons in the FCS into a starting spot on am FBS roster in 2025.

Formerly ranked as a top-50 quarterback prospect in 2025, the college football veteran is not currently ranked among transfer portal quarterbacks in the 2025 cycle. That could change as the rankings update in the coming days, although he is unlikely to be viewed as an elite prospect in the class.

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Highly-touted transfer cornerback Raion Strader commits to Auburn

The sophomore from Pittsburgh, PA entered the transfer portal this winter following two very solid seasons in the MAC

Former Miami (OH) cornerback Raion Strader has reportedly committed to join the Auburn Tigers next season. Strader, who led the nation with 20 passes defended this season, helped lead the Red Hawks to a MAC Championship appearance this season despite an 0-3 start to the 2024 campaign.

The sophomore from Pittsburgh, PA entered the transfer portal this winter following two very solid seasons in the MAC. Although he did not receive much interest from Division 1 schools during his high school recruitment process, the incoming junior developed into a very important piece for the Red Hawks as soon as he stepped onto campus. 247 Sports ranked him as the No. 5 cornerback in the current transfer cycle, ultimately giving him a four-star recruit ranking after he spent his high school career unranked.

In two seasons with Miami (OH), the 6-foot, 182-pound defensive back registered 30 passes defended, 110 total tackles, and 3 interceptions. He was able to accumulate at least 2 passes defended in four of his team’s final six games this season, including one in the MAC Championship against Ohio.

While current starting cornerbacks Kayin Lee and Jay Crawford are highly unlikely to cede snaps in the defensive backfield next season, Strader should have the opportunity to compete for playing time at either cornerback or safety in what is expected to be one of the youngest defensive back groupings in the conference.

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Auburn lands Virginia Tech transfer Xavier Chaplin

Chaplin aims to earn a starting spot within Auburn’s offensive line in 2025.

Virginia Tech offensive lineman [autotag]Xavier Chaplin[/autotag] committed to the Auburn Tigers on Sunday from the transfer portal. The 6-7, 323-pound offensive tackle started every game for the Hokies over the last two seasons after redshirting his freshman campaign in 2022.

A former three-star recruit, Chaplin has outperformed projections significantly during his college career. 247 Sports ranked the South Carolina native as the second-best offensive tackle in the 2025 transfer cycle, giving Hugh Freeze a much-needed anchor of an offensive line set to lose a few pieces next season.

After helping his Hokies rank No. 22 in rush yards per game in 2023, Chaplin again paved the way toward a successful rushing attack in Blacksburg this season. Running back Bhayshul Tuten finished the season with glaringly similar numbers to Auburn starter [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag], although Tuten’s scoring production (15 touchdowns) outpaced Hunter’s.

Chaplin will be entering his junior season in 2025 on the Plains. Still with two years of eligibility remaining, the former Hokie will have a direct path to earning a starting role along the offensive line next season. While left tackle [autotag]Dillon Wade[/autotag] is reportedly returning for his final season, right tackle [autotag]Izavion Miller[/autotag] is out of eligibility, leaving a void likely to be filled by the newest Tiger.

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Former Georgia Tech safety Taye Seymore commits to Auburn

Seymore made 45 tackles as a sophomore at Georgia Tech in 2024.

Auburn is adding an experienced safety from the transfer portal to its secondary.

According to a report by Christian Clemente of Auburn Undercover, Auburn has landed a commitment from [autotag]Taye Seymore[/autotag], a safety formerly of Georgia Tech. Seymore joins Auburn’s roster after spending his first two collegiate seasons with the Yellow Jackets.

The 2024 season was a breakout year for Seymore. The sophomore from South Atlanta High School (Georgia) played in ten games this season for Georgia Tech with seven starts. He made 45 tackles with two pass deflections. He logged a career-best 10 tackles in Georgia Tech’s 31-28 loss to Syracuse on Sept. 7.

According to Pro Football Focus data, Seymore tallied 401 snaps in 2024. During his time on the field, he allowed 76.9% (10-of-13) of targeted passes to be caught for 183 yards while allowing just two touchdowns. Seymore did not participate in the Yellow Jackets’ final two games against NC State and Georgia due to injury.

Seymore will look to earn a spot in the safety rotation alongside Kaleb Harries and Sylvester Smith in 2025. True freshmen Eric Winters and Anquon Fegans will also look to join the mix.

Auburn freshman EDGE Amaris Williams plans to enter transfer portal

A five-star EDGE from the 2024 signing class, Williams departs after just one season on the Plains.

Auburn’s second-highest-rated signee from its 2024 recruiting haul is projected to leave the Plains after just one season.

According to a report by Hayes Fawcett of On3, Auburn EDGE rusher [autotag]Amaris Williams[/autotag] has filed the paperwork necessary to enter the transfer portal. The news of his plan to enter the transfer portal comes a day after EDGE coach Josh Aldridge’s announced departure from the program to become the defensive coordinator at East Carolina.

Williams signed with Auburn as the No. 5 EDGE of the 2024 recruiting cycle, trailing wide receiver [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] for the top spot in Auburn’s recruiting haul. He appeared in five games for the Tigers during his freshman campaign in 2024, where he logged seven tackles and 0.5 sacks. According to Pro Football Focus, Williams participated in 120 snaps this season and created five quarterback pressures.

Williams was expected to play a larger role on defense in 2025 following the departure of [autotag]Jalen McLeod[/autotag], who graduates after making 106 stops in two seasons at Auburn with 13.5 sacks. Should Williams elect to play elsewhere, Auburn will look to rising senior [autotag]Zykeivous Walker[/autotag], redshirt freshman [autotag]Jamonta Waller[/autotag], and 2025 signee [autotag]Jared Smith[/autotag] to fill the void left behind by McLeod and to team up with rising junior Keldric Faulk to continue Auburn’s run of dominant EDGE play.