The 2026 Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers are being led by first-year head coach Alex Golesh. They play their home games at Jordan–Hare Stadium located in Auburn, Alabama.

Offseason

Entered NFL draft

Five Auburn players were drafted in 2026.

Keldric Faulk DE 1 31 Tennessee Titans Keyron Crawford DE 3 67 Las Vegas Raiders Connor Lew C 4 128 Cincinnati Bengals Jeremiah Wright G 4 132 New Orleans Saints Bobby Jamison-Travis DT 6 186 New York Giants

Transfer portal

Departures Thirty-seven Auburn players elected to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal during or after the 2025 season.

Departing transfersName Pos. Height/weight Class Hometown New school Sources Damari Alston RB 5'9", 214 Senior Atlanta, GA Tulsa Antonio Coleman OL 6'1", 256 Freshman Saraland, AL Alabama A&M Raion Strader CB 6'0", 185 Junior Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh Perry Thompson WR 6'3", 220 Sophomore Foley, AL Minnesota Caleb Wheatland LB 6'1", 231 Senior Chantilly, VA Michigan State Horatio Fields WR 6'2", 201 Senior Douglasville, GA Ole Miss A'mon Lane-Ganus CB 5'10", 180 Sophomore Moody, AL USF Hollis Davidson III TE 6'5", 238 Freshman Peachtree City, GA Alabama A&M Malcolm Simmons WR 6'0", 186 Sophomore Alexander City, AL Texas Tech DeAndre Carter OL 6'4", 355 Freshman Santa Ana, CA Iowa State Favour Ebuka Edwin OT 6'6", 317 Freshman McDonough, GA Georgia Tech Cam'Ron King WR 6'0", 195 Freshman Ocala, FL Georgia Southern Seth Wilfred OL 6'5", 339 Junior Las Vegas, NV Utah State Jay Crawford CB 5'11", 179 Sophomore Lilburn, GA Ole Miss Malik Blocton DL 6'3", 291 Sophomore Pike Road, AL LSU Towns McGough K 6'0", 185 Sophomore Auburn, AL California Jamonta Waller OL 6'0", 256 Freshman Picayune, MS Arkansas Amaris Williams DE 6'2", 260 Sophomore Clinton, NC Georgia Ashton Daniels QB 6'2", 219 Senior Buford, GA Florida State Kayin Lee CB 5'11", 180 Junior Ellenwood, GA Tennessee Donovan Starr CB 5'11", 182 Freshman Brentwood, TN Clemson Robert Woodyard Jr. LB 6'0", 245 Junior Mobile, AL Missouri Xavier Chaplin OT 6'7", 348 Junior Seabrook, SC Florida State Kensley Louidor-Faustin S 5'11", 183 Sophomore Naples, FL Missouri Cam Coleman WR 6'3", 201 Sophomore Phenix City, AL Texas Deuce Knight QB 6'4", 217 Freshman Lucedale, MS Ole Miss Dylan Senda OL 6'5", 320 Sophomore Dearborn, MI Toledo Preston Howard TE 6'5", 236 Junior Owings Mills, MD Maryland Jackson Arnold QB 6'1", 219 Junior Denton, TX UNLV James Ash DL 6'3", 302 Senior Tampa, FL TBD Taye Seymore S 5'11", 200 Sophomore Atlanta, GA North Texas Durell Robinson RB 6'0", 207 Sophomore Baltimore, MD Colorado State Broderick Shull OT 6'5", 327 Freshman Bixby, OK Oregon State DJ Barber LB 5'11", 219 Sophomore Pinson, AL Alabama A&M Tyler Johnson OT 6'6", 323 Sophomore Natchitoches, LA Kansas State Eric Singleton Jr. WR 5'10", 180 Junior Douglasville, GA Florida Tyler Brown DL 5'11", 235 Freshman Macon, GA TBD

Incoming Over the offseason, Auburn added thirty-nine players from the transfer portal. According to 247Sports, Auburn had the No. 13 ranked transfer class in the country.

Incoming transfersName Pos. Height/weight Class Hometown Prev. school Sources Locklan Hewlett QB 6'1", 195 Freshman St. Augustine, FL USF Christian Neptune WR 5'11", 189 Freshman Cantonment, FL USF Kory Pettigrew WR 6'1", 180 Freshman Perry, GA USF Nykahi Davenport RB 6'0", 216 Sophomore Roswell, GA USF Jonathan Echols TE 6'6", 235 Sophomore Bradenton, FL USF Fred Gaskin S 5'10", 198 Sophomore Ocala, FL USF Gavin Jenkins CB 6'2", 181 Freshman Lake Butler, FL USF Jeremiah Koger WR 6'3", 209 Freshman Baltimore, MD USF Byrum Brown QB 6'3", 232 Senior Rolesville, NC USF Xavier Newsom TE 6'6", 240 Freshman Detroit, MI Howard Chas Nimrod WR 6'2", 198 Junior Bentonville, AR USF Stanton Ramil OT 6'7", 312 Sophomore Alabaster, AL Michigan State Cody Sigler DL 6'3", 297 Junior New Hope, AL Arkansas State Keshaun Singleton WR 6'3", 215 Freshman Norcross, GA USF Joseph Simmons OT 6'5", 322 Junior Wilmington, DE James Madison Saint Farrior OL 6'3", 335 Sophomore Durham, NC Appalachian State Jake Johnson TE 6'6", 240 Junior Bogart, GA North Carolina Nate Johnson DE 6'5", 252 Junior Gaffney, SC Missouri Andre Jordan Jr. CB 6'1", 175 Junior Federal Way, WA UCLA Bryson Washington RB 6'0", 216 Sophomore Franklin, TX Baylor Shamar Arnoux CB 6'2", 189 Freshman Carrollton, GA Florida State Cole Best OL 6'4", 315 Junior Winter Park, FL USF Cole Skinner OL 6'5", 325 Junior Point Pleasant Beach, NJ USF Tristan Ti'a QB 6'2", 205 Freshman Pleasanton, CA Oregon State Walter Mathis Jr. DL 6'2", 285 Freshman Savannah, GA LSU Jacob Strand OT 6'5", 302 Senior Canby, OR Oregon State TJ Hedrick OT 6'4", 320 Freshman Naples, FL Ole Miss Scrap Richardson WR 6'0", 185 Freshman Greenville, GA Notre Dame Da'Shawn Womack DE 6'5", 265 Junior Baltimore, MD Ole Miss Jack Leyrer OT 6'5", 300 Dallas, TX Stanford Jack Luttrell S 6'0", 188 Sophomore Moultrie, GA Arizona Hudson Powell LS 6'3", 230 Senior Nashville, TN Miami (OH) Kamari Todd CB 6'1", 170 Freshman Gardendale, AL Chattanooga Hunter Herring QB 6'4", 200 Monroe, LA Louisiana–Monroe Kenneth McManus IV OL 6'2", 320 Freshman Washington, DC Akron Tae Meadows RB 5'10", 180 Senior Roanoke, AL Troy Deryc Plazz OT 6'4", 310 Freshman Jacksonville, FL Miami (FL) Arlis Boardingham TE 6'3", 245 Junior Van Nuys, CA Bowling Green Michael Matthews-Canty LB 6'3", 215 Sophomore Fredericksburg, VA Hampton

Recruiting

Preseason

Spring game The Tigers hosted spring practice sessions three days a week beginning on March 17, and ending with the spring game, "A-Day" on Saturday, April 18. In the game, Team White defeated Team Blue by a score of 66–43.

Award watch lists Listed in the order that they were released Maxwell Award Byrum Brown QB Sr. Jeremiah Cobb RB Bronko Nagurski Trophy Xavier Atkins LB Jr. Patrick Mannelly Award Hudson Powell LS Sr. Rimington Trophy Cole Best C Lou Groza Award Alex McPherson PK R-Sr. Paul Hornung Award Rayshawn Pleasant CB Lombardi Award Xavier Atkins LB Jr. Wuerffel Trophy Alex McPherson K R-Sr. Butkus Award Xavier Atkins LB Jr. Walter Camp Award Biletnikoff Award Keshaun Singleton WR R-Jr. Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Byrum Brown QBSr. Comeback Player of the Year Award Champ Anthony S Chas Nimrod WR R-Sr. Chuck Bednarik Award Xavier Atkins LB Jr. Manning Award Byrum Brown QB Sr. Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Bryson Washington RB R-Jr.

SEC media days SEC media poll 1 Georgia 2,519 (88) 2 Texas 2,449 (57) 3 Ole Miss 2,004 (6) 4 Texas A&M 1,967 (5) 5 LSU 1,961 (2) 6 Alabama 1,930 (3) 7 Oklahoma 1,914 (2) 8 Tennessee 1,320 9 Florida 1,217 10 Missouri 1,105 11 South Carolina 956 13 Vanderbilt 751 14 Kentucky 546 (1) 15 Mississippi State 467 16 Arkansas 262

Preseason SEC awards 2026 Preseason All-SEC teams

Media First Team

Position Player Class Defense LB Xavier Atkins Jr.

Third Team

Position Player Class Defense DB Champ Anthony Sr. Special Teams PK Alex McPherson R-Sr.

Source:

Coaches First Team

Position Player Class Defense LB Xavier Atkins Jr.

Third Team

Position Player Class Special Teams PK Alex McPherson R-Sr.

Source:

Preseason All-Americans Preseason All-American Honors Xavier Atkins LB Jr. 1st Team Defense

Other All-Americans teams Player Position Class Selector(s) Rayshawn Pleasant RS RS-Senior3rd Team Specialists (Athlon) Xavier Atkins LB Junior2nd Team Defense (USA Today, SI)

Schedule

Sources:

Game summaries vs. Baylor (Aflac Kickoff Game)

Statistics BAYAUB First downs 27 24 Plays–yards 99–436 76–389 Rushes–yards 45–103 41–130 Passing yards 333 259 Passing: comp–att–int 27–54–1 26–35–3 Turnovers 2 3 Time of possession 32:32 27:28 Team Category Player Statistics Baylor Passing DJ Lagway 27/54, 333 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Dawson Pendergrass 25 rushes, 88 yards Receiving Gavin Freeman 12 receptions, 154 yards, TD Auburn Passing Byrum Brown 26/35, 259 yards, 3 INT Rushing Jeremiah Cobb 12 rushes, 53 yards, TD Receiving Keshaun Singleton 7 receptions, 89 yards

Southern Miss

Statistics USMAUB First downs 11 31 Plays–yards 58–221 85–613 Rushes–yards 25–50 51–343 Passing yards 171 270 Passing: comp–att–int 22–33–2 21–34–0 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 27:11 32:49 Team Category Player Statistics Southern Miss Passing Ethan Hampton 18/27, 146 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Steven Robinson 15 carries, 51 yards Receiving AJ Little 4 receptions, 27 yards Auburn Passing Byrum Brown 18/29, 226 yards, 2 TD Rushing Omar Mabson II 15 carries, 108 yards, TD Receiving Chas Nimrod 7 receptions, 52 yards

Florida (rivalry)

Statistics FLAAUB First downs 24 22 Plays–yards 76–495 66–373 Rushes–yards 53–243 31–102 Passing yards 252 271 Passing: comp–att–int 16–23–1 20–35–1 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 39:16 20:44 Team Category Player Statistics Florida PassingAaron Philo15/22, 204 yards, TD, INT RushingJadan Baugh26 rushes, 162 yards, 3 TD ReceivingVernell Brown III5 receptions, 86 yards Auburn PassingByrum Brown20/35, 271 yards, 3 TD, INT RushingByrum Brown18 rushes, 65 yards, TD ReceivingKeshaun Singleton7 receptions, 99 yards, TD

Vanderbilt

Statistics VANAUB First downs 22 15 Plays–yards 75–311 58–279 Rushes–yards 41–112 31–139 Passing yards 199 140 Passing: comp–att–int 22–34–1 18–27–1 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 37:28 22:32 Team Category Player Statistics Vanderbilt Passing Jared Curtis 22/33, 199 yards, INT Rushing Jared Curtis 18 rushes, 46 yards Receiving Junior Sherrill 6 receptions, 95 yards Auburn Passing Byrum Brown 18/27, 140 yards, TD, INT Rushing Jeremiah Cobb 8 rushes, 58 yards Receiving Chas Nimrod 5 receptions, 52 yards, TD

at No. 17 Tennessee (rivalry)

Statistics AUBTENN First downs 17 17 Plays–yards 65–345 67–323 Rushes–yards 32–186 49–237 Passing yards 159 86 Passing: comp–att–int 22–33–2 11–18–1 Turnovers 3 2 Time of possession 28:23 31:37 Team Category Player Statistics Auburn Passing Byrum Brown 22/33, 159 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Byrum Brown 19 rushes, 107 yards, TD Receiving Keshaun Singleton 7 receptions, 54 yards Tennessee Passing George MacIntyre 8/10, 86 yards Rushing DeSean Bishop 34 rushes, 220 yards Receiving Mike Matthews 4 receptions, 57 yards

at Georgia (Deep South's Oldest Rivalry)

Statistics AUBUGA First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Auburn Passing Rushing Receiving Georgia Passing Rushing Receiving

LSU (rivalry)

Statistics LSUAUB First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics LSU Passing Rushing Receiving Auburn Passing Rushing Receiving

at Ole Miss (rivalry)

Statistics AUBMISS First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Auburn Passing Rushing Receiving Ole Miss Passing Rushing Receiving

Arkansas

Statistics ARKAUB First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Arkansas Passing Rushing Receiving Auburn Passing Rushing Receiving

at Mississippi State (rivalry)

Statistics AUBMSST First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Auburn Passing Rushing Receiving Mississippi State Passing Rushing Receiving

Samford (FCS)

Statistics SAMAUB First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession Team Category Player Statistics Samford Passing Rushing Receiving Auburn Passing Rushing Receiving

at Alabama (Iron Bowl)

Statistics AUBALA First downs Plays–yards Rushes–yards Passing yards Passing: comp–att–int Turnovers Time of possession