The transfer portal hasn’t officially opened yet, but the exits keep piling up on the Plains. Auburn’s roster continues to thin out as 24 scholarship players have now declared their intention to enter the portal - with five more names added just this week. That brings the total number of expected departures to 40 and counting, and the window hasn’t even opened yet.
For newly hired head coach Alex Golesh, this isn’t just a challenge - it’s a full-scale roster reset. With so many holes opening up across the depth chart, the upcoming portal cycle will be critical for Golesh and his staff to not just patch things up, but to lay the foundation for his version of Auburn football.
Let’s break down the latest wave of departures, what they mean for the Tigers, and where the biggest holes now sit heading into a crucial offseason.
Kayin Lee, CB - A Blow to an Already-Thin Secondary
Kayin Lee’s decision to transfer is a significant hit to Auburn’s defense. The sophomore corner was a starter in 2025 and had shown promise as a long-term piece in the secondary. His departure, alongside fellow starting corner Jay Crawford, leaves Auburn without its top two cover men from this past season.
Lee is one of five corners expected to leave the program, which means Auburn’s cornerback room is essentially being gutted. That’s a tough reality for any program, but especially one trying to build a defensive identity under a new staff.
As it stands, only two scholarship corners - Rayshawn Pleasant and Blake Woodby - are set to return. Both will be critical to the rebuild, not just for their talent, but for continuity and leadership in a room that’s suddenly filled with question marks.
Ashton Daniels, QB - The Quarterback Room Gets Thinner
Ashton Daniels started three of Auburn’s final four games in 2025 and still has one year of eligibility left, but he’s now the second quarterback expected to enter the portal, joining Jackson Arnold.
Daniels’ exit feels like a signal that Golesh and his staff are ready to pivot at quarterback. In his announcement, Daniels acknowledged that things didn’t unfold the way he expected, hinting at a shift in direction under the new regime.
The timing of Daniels’ decision is interesting, coming just after USF quarterback Byrum Brown - who has ties to Golesh and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon - entered the portal. While nothing’s official, the dots are easy to connect. If Auburn does indeed pursue Brown, it would be a reunion with a QB who already knows the system.
Regardless of who comes in, Auburn’s quarterback room needs a new face - and quickly.
Robert Woodyard Jr., LB - Depth Takes a Hit, But the Room Stays Strong
Woodyard was a steady presence on Auburn’s defense this season, finishing second on the team in tackles with 67. Losing him stings, but linebacker is one of the few areas where Auburn has some breathing room.
The Tigers already locked up All-American Xavier Atkins after the season, and with Demarcus Riddick, Bryce Deas, and Elijah Melendez all set to return, the linebacker corps still looks solid heading into 2026.
Woodyard’s departure is more about depth and experience than a devastating blow. It’s a loss, no doubt, but one Auburn is better equipped to absorb than some of the others.
Donovan Starr, CB - A Developmental Prospect Moves On
Freshman corner Donovan Starr didn’t see much of the field in 2025, and now he’s joining the exodus from the secondary. While Starr had potential, his departure isn’t as impactful as those of Lee or Crawford.
Still, the fact that even younger, developmental players are opting to leave underscores just how complete this rebuild will need to be. Starr could still blossom elsewhere, but for Auburn, it’s another body out the door in a position group that’s rapidly thinning.
Xavier Chaplin, OL - The Trenches Take a Major Hit
Of all the names to enter the portal this week, Xavier Chaplin might be the most significant. The left tackle started all 12 games in 2025 and was one of just two starting offensive linemen eligible to return.
Yes, his play was inconsistent at times, but losing a starting left tackle - especially one with experience - is a tough pill to swallow. Quality tackles are hard to find in the portal, which is why Auburn was so excited to land Chaplin in the first place.
Now, Golesh and his staff are back to square one. They’ll need to find at least three new starters on the offensive line, and possibly more depending on how things shake out. Maybe one or two of those answers are already on the roster, but there’s no question: Auburn has to hit the portal hard to rebuild the trenches.
The Big Picture
Forty players gone - and the portal window hasn’t even opened yet. That’s the reality facing Alex Golesh as he begins his tenure at Auburn.
The good news? The portal gives as much as it takes.
The challenge? You’ve got to win in the portal to stay competitive in today’s college football landscape.
With key losses at cornerback, quarterback, and offensive line, the Tigers have work to do. But there’s also opportunity. Golesh and his staff now have a blank canvas to reshape the roster, bring in players who fit their system, and set the tone for a new era.
The next few weeks will be telling. Auburn fans should buckle up - the rebuild is officially underway.