Auburn's Offensive Line Overhaul: Golesh Rebuilds the Trenches from the Ground Up
MOBILE, Alabama - When Alex Golesh took over at Auburn, he didn’t waste any time identifying one of the most urgent needs on the roster: the offensive line. And it wasn’t just about plugging a hole or two - it was a full-scale rebuild.
The Tigers lost their top six offensive linemen from last season. Jeremiah Wright, Dillon Wade, Mason Murphy, and Too Tall Miller all exhausted their eligibility.
Xavier Chaplin transferred to Florida State. Connor Lew declared for the NFL Draft.
Add in a handful of reserves who hit the portal, and suddenly, Auburn's offensive front was a clean slate.
That kind of turnover isn’t just rare - it’s seismic. And it forced Golesh and offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick to get aggressive.
Since December, they’ve brought in 14 new offensive linemen - nine from the transfer portal and five from the high school ranks. That’s not just a position group getting a facelift.
That’s a full-on renovation.
“That was a group that, coming in, you looked at and thought, ‘How’s this going to play out?’” Golesh said Wednesday from Mobile.
“It wasn’t just about replacing starters. We had to fill backup roles too.”
And that’s where the balance comes in. Auburn didn’t just go after plug-and-play veterans.
The staff also signed a promising freshman class, giving the program a foundation for the future. Names like Kail Ellis, Jacobe Ward, and Tai Buster are part of that next wave - talented but still developing.
The goal now is to give them time to grow without being thrown into the fire too early.
To make that possible, Auburn hit the portal early and strategically. Tackles Stanton Ramil and Joseph Simmons were among the first additions, giving the Tigers a pair of experienced bookends to build around. Once those cornerstone pieces were in place, the staff shifted focus to the interior.
“You saw how it progressed,” Golesh said. “We started with the tackle spots and then worked on the interior. I feel like we got a ton of experienced guys.”
And experience wasn’t just a luxury - it was a requirement. Golesh and Hudanick targeted players who had not only played at the collegiate level but had started for multiple seasons. Guys who’ve seen SEC-caliber defenses up close and understand the speed and physicality that comes with it.
“We wanted guys that had played at a high level, not just for a year,” Golesh explained. “Guys that can handle the tempo and intensity of this league. I think we did a really good job.”
So, is the rebuild complete? Not quite. Golesh left the door open for one more addition, noting that offensive line is a position where you’re always on the lookout for the right fit.
“If there’s one out there and you can go get one, you go get him,” Golesh said. “But I do feel like we’ve got a good mix now - some veteran presence to go with the youth in that room. You just hope you don’t have to rely on that youth too soon.”
It’s clear Golesh is building with both the present and future in mind. The offensive line may have been gutted, but Auburn didn’t panic. Instead, they reloaded with a plan - one that blends experience with upside, and gives the Tigers a fighting chance in the trenches from day one.