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AUBURN — It's officially report day for Auburn football, kicking off a 33-day countdown to the start of the Alex Golesh era.
The program's third head-coaching tenure in the last six seasons has had enough to discuss in a relatively quiet offseason. With the exception of frequent recruiting success, chatter has largely remained on individuals, personnel in particular. Byrum Brown headlines, followed by a dozen other transfers from South Florida and a spread of names from fellow Power Four programs.
Many are well-known by now, ahead of the world's first glimpse at what Zero Year could hold. This list isn't comprised of them.
Here's 11 (other) players, one for every position and a return spot, you should know ahead of Auburn's preseason practices.
When Brown departs following the season, his successor being a transfer portal pickup appears plausible, but Ti'a has time to make an impression. A freshman last fall, he started three games for Oregon State, and his scout-team performance against Auburn's defense will be worth monitoring.
Auburn has four FBS-caliber starting backs in its room, but Mabson feels like a possible dark horse in the Tigers' stable of frequently used rushers. A 2026 prospect who reclassified to join the program last fall, he played in 10 games, logging 16 carries and catching four passes.
Nimrod was perhaps the most discussed player of spring practice, but one of the least-discussed South Florida pass-catchers was Christian Neptune, largely because he was sidelined by injury. A slot receiver, he was one of the Bulls' most-utilized receivers last year and was also utilized in the rushing attack.
Boardingham began his career at Florida, and he burst into a healthy role as a sophomore with career-highs in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He totaled 44 receptions, 417 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in two seasons as a Gator. But after missing the entire season with Bowling Green in 2025, he's surely looking to become a high-impact pass-catcher for the Tigers.
In three seasons, Skinner played in 28 games for South Florida, but made just eight starts. He's got the advantages of experience and familiarity with this offense. Will that be enough for him to earn a starting guard spot?
At 6-foot-2 and 263 pounds, Smith is one of the smallest defensive linemen on the roster. A prospect who was widely regarded for his pass-rushing ability, could he become a dynamic aspect of Auburn's defensive interior?
In two seasons at Appalachian State, Johnson logged 12 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He transferred to Missouri, but his production didn't carry over, recording just one tackle in the backfield.
While Elijah Melendez is poised to move into a significant role after a productive freshman year, the exact same could be said for Deas, who played in 11 games as a true freshman. It's hard not to anticipate a bigger role coinciding with a bump in production.
Ahead of SEC Media Days, Golesh described the rising sophomore as an NFL player. He played in just four games as a freshman however, but if his talents can translate this fall, he could be a surprise standout.
The safety was effective in coverage, the backfield and otherwise was a sophomore last fall. Unlike many of his transplanted teammates, he's being tasked with learning a playbook and terminology. Will he settle into DJ Durkin's defense enough to make an impact?
Remember the Freeze Four? The only one left standing on the Plains is Cain, following two seasons in which he caught just six passes in 15 games. He was widely discussed throughout the spring, and while Auburn's wideout rotations appear completely wide open, Cain appears a viable candidate to be a return man.
Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter.To support Adam's work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Here's 11 Auburn football players you should know for preseason camp
Continue reading...
The program's third head-coaching tenure in the last six seasons has had enough to discuss in a relatively quiet offseason. With the exception of frequent recruiting success, chatter has largely remained on individuals, personnel in particular. Byrum Brown headlines, followed by a dozen other transfers from South Florida and a spread of names from fellow Power Four programs.
Many are well-known by now, ahead of the world's first glimpse at what Zero Year could hold. This list isn't comprised of them.
Here's 11 (other) players, one for every position and a return spot, you should know ahead of Auburn's preseason practices.
Why Tristan Ti'a is a quarterback worth watching during preseason camp
When Brown departs following the season, his successor being a transfer portal pickup appears plausible, but Ti'a has time to make an impression. A freshman last fall, he started three games for Oregon State, and his scout-team performance against Auburn's defense will be worth monitoring.
Will Omar Mabson carve out role in Auburn football's loaded running back room?
Auburn has four FBS-caliber starting backs in its room, but Mabson feels like a possible dark horse in the Tigers' stable of frequently used rushers. A 2026 prospect who reclassified to join the program last fall, he played in 10 games, logging 16 carries and catching four passes.
The South Florida wideout to monitor not named Chas Nimrod
Nimrod was perhaps the most discussed player of spring practice, but one of the least-discussed South Florida pass-catchers was Christian Neptune, largely because he was sidelined by injury. A slot receiver, he was one of the Bulls' most-utilized receivers last year and was also utilized in the rushing attack.
Could tight end Arlis Boardingham return to SEC form with Auburn football?
Boardingham began his career at Florida, and he burst into a healthy role as a sophomore with career-highs in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He totaled 44 receptions, 417 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in two seasons as a Gator. But after missing the entire season with Bowling Green in 2025, he's surely looking to become a high-impact pass-catcher for the Tigers.
Cole Skinner was a swing guy for USF. Could he be a starter for Auburn football?
In three seasons, Skinner played in 28 games for South Florida, but made just eight starts. He's got the advantages of experience and familiarity with this offense. Will that be enough for him to earn a starting guard spot?
What will Darrion Smith's role be on Auburn football's defensive line?
At 6-foot-2 and 263 pounds, Smith is one of the smallest defensive linemen on the roster. A prospect who was widely regarded for his pass-rushing ability, could he become a dynamic aspect of Auburn's defensive interior?
Can edge rusher Nate Johnson prove down season at Missouri was a fluke?
In two seasons at Appalachian State, Johnson logged 12 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He transferred to Missouri, but his production didn't carry over, recording just one tackle in the backfield.
Bryce Deas could be the likeliest linebacker to experience sophomore surge
While Elijah Melendez is poised to move into a significant role after a productive freshman year, the exact same could be said for Deas, who played in 11 games as a true freshman. It's hard not to anticipate a bigger role coinciding with a bump in production.
How will Gavin Jenkins' 'NFL' talents translate to Auburn football?
Ahead of SEC Media Days, Golesh described the rising sophomore as an NFL player. He played in just four games as a freshman however, but if his talents can translate this fall, he could be a surprise standout.
Fred Gaskin III did it all in South Florida's defense. What will he do for Auburn football?
The safety was effective in coverage, the backfield and otherwise was a sophomore last fall. Unlike many of his transplanted teammates, he's being tasked with learning a playbook and terminology. Will he settle into DJ Durkin's defense enough to make an impact?
Does Bryce Cain finally find a defined role in Auburn football's special teams?
Remember the Freeze Four? The only one left standing on the Plains is Cain, following two seasons in which he caught just six passes in 15 games. He was widely discussed throughout the spring, and while Auburn's wideout rotations appear completely wide open, Cain appears a viable candidate to be a return man.
Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter.To support Adam's work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Here's 11 Auburn football players you should know for preseason camp
Continue reading...
