BREAKING NEWS : Assessing Auburn football’s transfer portal needs following signing day

After signing 25 freshmen on Wednesday, Auburn is likely done (although anything is possible until Friday) adding players during the early signing period.

That completes the first part of roster construction for the 2025 team, with focus now shifting toward the transfer portal when it opens on Dec. 9.

Hugh Freeze said during his signing day news conference that the staff has done exit interviews with players already and they “kind of know” where the roster stands. A few positions stand out more than others, so we narrowed the list down to five.

Here are Auburn’s five biggest positions of need in the transfer portal:

Quarterback

Current players: So. Hank Brown, RS Fr. Walker White, Fr. Deuce Knight

Freeze made it clear on Wednesday that Auburn will pursue a quarterback in the transfer portal. With Payton Thorne out of eligibility and Holden Geriner entering the transfer portal, Auburn is currently down to three scholarship quarterbacks.

Most teams carry at least four on their roster, and Freeze said Auburn plans to do the same. With the lack of starting experience in Auburn’s current quarterback room, that search will likely be for a player that can start right away.

Multiple high-profile quarterbacks such as Jackson Arnold, Miller Moss, Thomas Castellanos, Kaidon Salter and others have already announced plans to enter the portal and more could follow in the coming days and weeks.

Linebacker

Current players: So. Demarcus Riddick, Jr. Robert Woodyard Jr., Jr. Laquan Robinson, RS Fr. DJ Barber, Fr. Elijah Melendez, Fr. Jakaleb Faulk, Fr. Bryce Deas

At the current moment, Auburn has numbers in its linebacker room, but lacks experience. Riddick is the only player with any real starting experience and even he doesn’t have much.

Freeze mentioned on signing day that the freshmen linebackers will likely have to play early due to the lack of depth at the position, but it’s unlikely they will be leaned on heavily as freshmen.

Fresno State transfer Phoenix Jackson reportedly already has a visit scheduled with Auburn, according to 247Sports’ Chris Hummer. Jackson tallied 49 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble with Fresno State in 2024 and had the third-highest coverage grade among linebackers, according to Pro Football Focus.

Offensive tackle

Current players: Sr. Dillon Wade, Sr. Jaden Muskrat, So. Seth Wilfred, So. Tyler Johnson, So. Dylan Senda, RS Fr. Favour Edwin, Fr. Broderick Shull

What makes offensive tackle a potentially huge need is Wade’s status being up in the air. He could return for another season, but that’s not guaranteed. Even if he does stay, Auburn will likely look to add another immediate starter at tackle.