Auburn’s offensive line is entering preseason camp with a completely different look, and the numbers tell the story. The Tigers are bringing back only three linemen from last season’s roster, then stacking the room with 14 newcomers after the season, including nine transfers.
That kind of turnover puts the spotlight squarely on fall camp, where Auburn will sort through a deep and crowded group trying to build a workable front.
Among the returners, Kail Ellis, Tai Buster and Jacobe Ward are the names to know. Ellis made history last season as the youngest player in college football to take a snap in an SEC game.
He eventually slipped out of the rotation late in the year, but he still logged SEC action against Oklahoma and Georgia. Buster, meanwhile, has been moving in the right direction during spring practice and will need a strong camp if he wants to carve out a role in a busy rotation.
The freshman class gives Auburn more long-term upside. Wilson Zierer arrives as the highest-rated offensive line recruit in the 2026 class, a four-star tackle.
Mason Mathis and Mykall Lundy-Foster both followed Auburn coach Alex Goles from USF’s 2026 recruiting class, while Bear McWhorter flipped from Michigan to Auburn to round out a young group that could matter down the line. Parker Pritchett is also part of that incoming class.
The transfer haul is where the immediate competition gets serious. Cole Best and Cole Skinner both came from USF, and Best spent the past two seasons as the Bulls’ starting center.
Jo Simmons arrives from James Madison after starting every game during its College Football Playoff run last season. Stanton Ramil, a Michigan State transfer, brings starting experience from one of college football’s toughest conferences.
Jack Leyrer, who comes over from Stanford, is entering his sixth season and has played both tackle and guard.
Auburn also added Kenneth McManus IV and Deryc Plazz, both underclassmen who could provide depth, along with TJ Hedrick, a redshirt freshman who can play inside or at tackle. Plazz especially drew attention during spring practice after transferring from Miami.
With so many bodies in the room, the battle up front is going to be one of the defining camp stories for Auburn.
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Pearl has made clear he likes the identity his team is building, but he is still exploring ways to add talent if the right fit presents itself. Among the names Auburn is reportedly monitoring are Dan Skillings Jr. and Dug McDaniel, though both players are drawing attention from multiple programs, so the Tigers may have competition if they decide to push hard in this newly reopened market. [Read more 🡒]