Auburn’s Offensive Line Faces Massive Rebuild Heading into 2026
Change is coming fast on The Plains, and nowhere is that more evident than in the trenches. Auburn’s offensive line is staring down a full-scale rebuild heading into 2026 - not just a tweak here or a plug-in transfer there, but a complete overhaul. The Tigers are losing all five starters from last season, plus their top rotational lineman, and that’s just the beginning.
In total, nine offensive linemen are on their way out, leaving Auburn with a depth chart that’s been hit harder than just about any other position group on the roster. The exodus includes players who exhausted their eligibility, like veterans Jeremiah Wright, Dillon Wade, Mason Murphy, and Izavion Miller - all of whom logged meaningful snaps. But the loss of center Connor Lew to the NFL Draft and tackle Xavier Chaplin to the transfer portal pushed this rebuild from significant to urgent.
Who’s Out
Here’s the full list of offensive linemen departing the program:
- Jeremiah Wright (IOL) - Eligibility expired
- Dillon Wade (IOL) - Eligibility expired
- Mason Murphy (OT) - Eligibility expired
- Izavion Miller (OT) - Eligibility expired
- Connor Lew (C) - Declared for the NFL Draft
- Xavier Chaplin (OT) - Entered transfer portal
- DeAndre Carter (IOL) - Entered transfer portal
- Favour Ebuka Edwin (OT) - Entered transfer portal
- Seth Wilfred (OT) - Entered transfer portal
That’s not just a lot of names - it’s a lot of experience, chemistry, and size walking out the door. Auburn isn’t just replacing players; they’re replacing the foundation of their offense.
Who’s In
So far, the Tigers have signed five offensive linemen in their 2026 freshman class:
- Bear McWhorter (IOL)
- Mason Mathis (OT)
- Mykall Lundy-Foster (IOL)
- Parker Pritchett (IOL)
- Wilson Zierer (OT)
It’s a promising group, but expecting true freshmen to step into SEC trenches right away is a tall order. These guys will help with depth, no doubt, but Auburn’s immediate needs can’t be filled by youth alone. That’s where the transfer portal becomes mission-critical.
The Situation Heading into the Portal
Auburn needs bodies - that’s the simple truth. But even more than that, they need SEC-ready bodies.
Right now, only two returning players - Kail Ellis and Tyler Johnson - have logged meaningful reps in an Auburn uniform. And even they come with question marks.
Johnson saw limited action in 2025 after a short-lived stint at left tackle the year before. Ellis stepped in at center after Lew’s ACL injury, but was eventually replaced.
Still, there’s reason to believe Ellis could be a building block. He showed flashes last season as a 17-year-old true freshman, and with another year of development, he’s a strong candidate to take over at center in 2026.
But one solid piece isn’t enough. Auburn needs four more linemen who can hold their own in the SEC - and fast.
The Transfer Market: Slim Pickings, but Key Targets
The market for tackles is thin, and it’s made even tougher by the fact that Xavier Chaplin, arguably the best tackle expected to enter the portal, is leaving Auburn. Outside of Chaplin, the top names include Josh Atkins (Arizona State) and Tyree Adams (LSU) - both ranked among On3’s top 100 transfer prospects. Auburn could circle back to Johnson at tackle, but he remains an unproven option.
On the interior, there’s more intrigue. Carius Curne, an LSU transfer, is the highest-ranked interior lineman in the portal per On3. While listed as a guard, Curne played tackle for LSU this season, giving him valuable versatility - something Auburn desperately needs.
Another name to watch is Shadre Hurst, a transfer from Tulane who earned First Team All-AAC honors in 2025. He’s familiar to the new staff thanks to their AAC ties, and his connection to former Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall could make Florida a strong contender for his commitment.
The Path Forward
For head coach Alex Golesh, offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick, and the rest of the Auburn staff, the task is clear: land multiple high-caliber offensive line transfers, and do it quickly. The Tigers can’t afford to go into 2026 with question marks across the entire front five.
This rebuild isn’t just about filling jerseys - it’s about finding players who can protect the quarterback, open up the run game, and give this offense a fighting chance in the SEC. Auburn’s offensive line was already a work in progress last season. Now it’s a clean slate.
The portal opens Friday, and the Tigers need to be aggressive. This isn’t just a depth issue - it’s a foundational one. And how Auburn handles it will go a long way in determining how competitive they’ll be in Golesh’s first year at the helm.