Progrums

Auburn Tigers’ Top 3 Transfer Portal Wish List

Auburn looks to plug significant holes created by the departure of five players—wide receiver Perry Thompson, defensive back Raion Strader, defensive lineman Antonio Coleman, linebacker Caleb Wheatland, and running back Damari Alston—when the transfer portal opens on January 2, 2026. New head coach Alex Golesh, seeking an offense maestro, could chase former pupil Byrum Brown, who lit up USF’s stat sheet with 3,158 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 1,008 rushing yards, and 14 rushing touchdowns under Golesh’s system. To shore up a linebacker room drained by Wheatland’s exit, Auburn might target South Carolina’s Jaron Willis, a Georgia native whose under-the-radar tackling style could thrive in a DJ Durkin defense. Finally, cornerback Jeremiah Hughes—6-foot, 191 pounds with prior SEC experience at LSU—could add depth opposite departing Strader, drawn in by Durkin’s famous rotation strategy that keeps defenders fresh. With only a month until the portal window slams shut, Auburn fans should expect more names to surface in their quest for instant impact transfers.

Step aside, crystal balls—Auburn’s new coach apparently brought along a treasure map to the USF locker room. Nothing says “we have a plan” like a grown man chasing his former quarterback like a squirrel hoarding acorns for winter. Next, they’re scouting Jaron Willis, because if LSU hadn’t discovered him, it must be destiny that Auburn does. And don’t sleep on Jeremiah Hughes—he’s the quiet kid in the ESL class who’ll surprise everyone by cornerbacking like he’s the lone block of tofu in a sea of beef jerky. Truly, Auburn’s offseason motto must be “if they’ve ever worn an SEC jersey, they’ve already signed.” Fans, prepare for a roller coaster—just don’t forget your Dramamine when they inevitably chase the next “sure thing” across the portal horizon.