2026 Auburn Tigers football team

2026 Auburn Tigers football
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
Record0–0 (0–0 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJoel Gordon (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinatorKodi Burns (4th season)
Defensive coordinatorD. J. Durkin (3rd season)
Co-defensive coordinatorTim Banks (1st season)
Home stadiumJordan–Hare Stadium
2026 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Alabama   0 0     0 0  
Arkansas   0 0     0 0  
Auburn   0 0     0 0  
Florida   0 0     0 0  
Georgia   0 0     0 0  
Kentucky   0 0     0 0  
LSU   0 0     0 0  
Mississippi State   0 0     0 0  
Missouri   0 0     0 0  
Oklahoma   0 0     0 0  
Ole Miss   0 0     0 0  
South Carolina   0 0     0 0  
Tennessee   0 0     0 0  
Texas   0 0     0 0  
Texas A&M   0 0     0 0  
Vanderbilt   0 0     0 0  
Championship: December 5, 2026
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
As of March 23, 2026
Rankings from CFP Rankings

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

Offseason

Positions key
Offense Defense Special teams
  1. ^ Sometimes referred to as an edge rusher (EDGE)
  2. ^ Includes nose tackle (NT)
  3. ^ Includes middle linebacker (MLB or MIKE), outside linebacker (OLB, WILL, SAM), and off-ball linebacker
  4. ^ Includes free safety (FS) and strong safety (SS)
  5. ^ Also known as a placekicker (PK)
  6. ^ Includes kickoff and punt returners

Entered NFL draft

Player Position Round Pick Drafted by

Transfer portal

Departures

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

Departing transfers
Name 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 TBD
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 TBD
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.[1]

Incoming transfers
Name 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

College recruiting information (2026)
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Wayne Henry
S
Baltimore, MD Saint Frances Academy 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Aug 5, 2024 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (76)
Parker Pritchett
IOL
Columbus, GA George Washington Carver High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 310 lb (140 kg) Apr 5, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (80)
Adam Balogoung-Ali
LB
West Palm Beach, FL Cardinal Newman High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Jul 8, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (82)
Travis Wakefield
LS
Nashville, TN Lipscomb Academy 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 212 lb (96 kg) Jul 9, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (68)
Wilson Zierer
OT
Rabun Gap, GA Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 280 lb (130 kg) Jul 17, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (80)
Jaquez Wilkes
LB
Wadley, AL Wadley High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Jul 21, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (82)
Shadarius Toodle
LB
Mobile, AL Cottage Hill Christian Academy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Oct 14, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (81)
Shadrick Toodle Jr.
S
Mobile, AL Cottage Hill Christian Academy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 199 lb (90 kg) Oct 14, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (74)
Damarcus Broughton
TE
Semmes, AL Mary G. Montgomery High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Dec 1, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (73)
DeShawn Spencer
WR
Saraland, AL Saraland High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 163 lb (74 kg) Dec 2, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (78)
Tavian Branch
DL
Taylor, PA Riverside High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 300 lb (140 kg) Dec 3, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (77)
Rhys Brush
QB
Seffner, FL Armwood High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Dec 3, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (75)
Brian Williams Jr.
WR
Orlando, FL The First Academy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Dec 3, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (77)
Mason Mathis
OT
Pace, FL Pace High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 320 lb (150 kg) Dec 5, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (76)
Bear McWhorter
IOL
White, GA Cass High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 302 lb (137 kg) Dec 15, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (81)
Brady Marchese
WR
Cartersville, GA Cartersville High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Dec 28, 2025 
Recruit ratings: 247Sports:    On3:    ESPN:    (84)
Overall recruit ranking:    247Sports: 31    On3: 42    ESPN: 29
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2026 Player commitments - Auburn". ESPN. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  • "2026 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  • "Auburn Football 2026 commits". 247Sports. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  • "2026 Auburn football recruits". On3. Retrieved March 3, 2026.

Preseason

Spring game

The Tigers are scheduled to host spring practice sessions three days a week beginning on March 17, and ending with the spring game, "A-Day" on Saturday, April 18.[2]

2026 A-Day Spring Game
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tigers 0 0 000
Auburn 0 0 000

at Jordan–Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL

  • Date: April 18, 2026
  • Game time: 2:00 pm CDT

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year Source

SEC media days

SEC media poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

Preseason SEC awards

2026 Preseason All-SEC teams

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResult
September 5vs. Baylor*
September 12Southern Miss*
September 19Florida
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL (rivalry)
September 26Vanderbilt
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL
October 3at Tennessee
October 17at Georgia
October 24LSU
October 31at Ole Miss
November 7Arkansas
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL
November 14at Mississippi State
November 21Samford*
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL
November 28at Alabama
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming

Sources:[3][4]

Game summaries

vs. Baylor

Auburn Tigers (0–0) vs. Baylor Bears (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tigers 0 0 000
Bears 0 0 000

at Mercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, Georgia

  • Date: September 5
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics AUB BAY
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Auburn Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Baylor Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Southern Miss

Southern Miss Golden Eagles (0–0) at Auburn Tigers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Eagles 0 0 000
Tigers 0 0 000

at Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: September 12
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics USM AUB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Miss Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Auburn Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Florida (rivalry)

Florida Gators (0–0) at Auburn Tigers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Gators 0 0 000
Tigers 0 0 000

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

  • Date: September 19
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics FLA AUB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Florida Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Auburn Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt Commodores (0–0) at Auburn Tigers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Commodores 0 0 000
Tigers 0 0 000

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

  • Date: September 26
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics VAN AUB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Vanderbilt Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Auburn Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Tennessee (rivalry)

Auburn Tigers (0–0) at Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tigers 0 0 000
Volunteers 0 0 000

at Neyland StadiumKnoxville, Tennessee

  • Date: October 3
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics AUB TENN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Auburn Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Tennessee Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Georgia (Deep South's Oldest Rivalry)

Auburn Tigers (0–0) at Georgia Bulldogs (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tigers 0 0 000
Bulldogs 0 0 000

at Sanford StadiumAthens, Georgia

  • Date: October 17
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics AUB UGA
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

vs LSU (rivalry)

LSU Tigers (0–0) at Auburn Tigers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
LSU 0 0 000
Auburn 0 0 000

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

  • Date: October 24
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics LSU AUB
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)

Auburn Tigers (0–0) at Ole Miss Rebels (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tigers 0 0 000
Rebels 0 0 000

at Vaught–Hemingway StadiumOxford, Mississippi

  • Date: October 31
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics AUB MISS
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

vs Arkansas

Arkansas Razorbacks (0–0) at Auburn Tigers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Razorbacks 0 0 000
Tigers 0 0 000

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

  • Date: November 7
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics ARK AUB
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)

Auburn Tigers (0–0) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tigers 0 0 000
Bulldogs 0 0 000

at Davis Wade StadiumStarkville, Mississippi

  • Date: November 14
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics AUB MSST
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

vs Samford (FCS)

Samford Bulldogs (FCS) (0–0) at Auburn Tigers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bulldogs (FCS) 0 0 000
Tigers 0 0 000

at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama

  • Date: November 21
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics SAM AUB
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)

Auburn Tigers (0–0) at Alabama Crimson Tide (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tigers 0 0 000
Crimson Tide 0 0 000

at Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama

  • Date: November 28
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics AUB ALA
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Auburn Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Alabama Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Personnel

Coaching staff

Name Position Consecutive season in current position
Alex Golesh Head coach 1st
Joel Gordon Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks coach 1st
Kodi Burns Associate head coach/Co-offensive coordinator/Wide receivers coach 1st
D. J. Durkin Defensive coordinator/Inside linebackers coach 3rd
Tim Banks Co-defensive coordinator/Safeties coach 1st
Jacob Bronowski Special teams coordinator 1st
Larry Porter Running backs coach 1st
Larry Scott Tight ends coach 1st
Tyler Hudanick Offensive line coach 1st
Vontrell King-Williams Defensive line coach 3rd
Coleman Hutzler Bucks/Edges coach 1st
Brad Wilson Outside linebackers coach 1st
DeMarcus Van Dyke Cornerbacks coach 1st
Reference:[5]

References

  1. ^ "2026 Transfer Football Team Rankings". 247Sports. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  2. ^ Jones, Taylor. "Auburn football releases dates for 2026 spring practice schedule". Auburn Wire. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
  3. ^ Rauterkus, Peter. "SEC announces Auburn's full 2026 football schedule". AL.com. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  4. ^ "2026 Auburn Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  5. ^ "Football - Staff Directory". Auburn Tigers - Official Athletics Website. Retrieved January 8, 2026.