Auburn’s transfer portal activity might’ve technically wrapped up on Jan. 16, but the Tigers haven’t taken their foot off the gas. It’s been a busy week on The Plains, with seven more signees joining the fold - pushing the incoming transfer total to 39. Combine that with the freshman class, and Auburn’s roster math for 2026 is already tilting in its favor: more players in than out after the 2025 season.
While this latest batch includes several depth pieces, a few names stand out for their potential to make an impact - whether that’s this fall or a little further down the line. Let’s break down the newest additions and what they bring to Hugh Freeze’s rapidly retooled roster.
Building the Trenches - Again
Auburn’s offensive line room looked like it had been hit by a tornado after the 2025 season, with 12 players exiting. But the rebuild is already well underway, and this week brought in two more big bodies to the mix.
Kenneth McManus IV (Akron) and Deryc Plazz (Miami) are the latest additions to a group that now includes nine transfer linemen - 14 total when you factor in the full class. That’s a massive overhaul, and a necessary one.
McManus, a 6-foot-2, 320-pound freshman, brings some intriguing upside. He held up well in pass protection in 2025, allowing just one sack and 14 pressures across 286 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. All of those reps came at left guard, so expect him to be in the mix with guys like Cole Skinner, Kail Ellis, and Jack Leyrer for snaps at that spot.
Plazz, meanwhile, has the size (6-4, 310) and three years of eligibility left after redshirting at Miami. He didn’t see much action there, but he’ll have time to develop and compete in a room that’s suddenly deep and getting deeper. And when it comes to offensive line play in the SEC, you can never have too much depth.
A Weapon at Tight End
One of the most intriguing pickups this week is Arlis Boardingham, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound tight end who arrives from Bowling Green by way of Florida. Injuries cost him the 2025 season, but his early college career showed flashes of real promise.
Back in his freshman year at Florida, Boardingham hauled in 26 catches for 289 yards and four touchdowns - good enough for Freshman All-America honors. He followed that up with 18 catches and 128 yards in 2024 before transferring to Bowling Green, where he unfortunately didn’t get the chance to suit up.
Now healthy, he joins a tight end room that’s been completely reshaped through the portal. Auburn brought in five transfers at the position, but Boardingham is one of just two with SEC experience.
The other? Jake Johnson, who started his career at Texas A&M.
That kind of experience matters, especially in Freeze’s offense, which has long valued versatile tight ends.
Also joining the group is Hunter Herring, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound redshirt senior from Louisiana-Monroe. Herring was listed as a quarterback but played multiple roles across offense and special teams. He’s the kind of Swiss Army knife who could find a niche in Auburn’s evolving scheme.
Stocking the Running Back Room
If you’ve followed Alex Golesh’s offenses in the past, you know he likes to keep fresh legs in the backfield. And Auburn’s current transfer haul suggests he and new offensive coordinator Joel Gordon are leaning into that philosophy.
The newest addition is Tae Meadows, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound junior from Troy. Meadows rushed for 695 yards and six touchdowns last season, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. He joins a loaded running back room that already includes Bryson Washington (Baylor), Nykahi Davenport (USF), and returning standout Jeremiah Cobb, who racked up 969 yards for Auburn in 2025.
All four backs topped 600 yards last season, giving the Tigers a deep and versatile group. Whether it’s Cobb’s explosiveness, Washington’s power, Davenport’s shiftiness, or Meadows’ balance, Auburn’s ground game is shaping up to be a real strength in 2026.
Defensive Depth Adds Continue
On the defensive side, Auburn added two more names this week - both from the FCS ranks - who could play key depth roles in 2026.
Kamari Todd, a true freshman cornerback from Chattanooga, brings some early production to the table. The Gardendale native posted 50 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and an interception last season. He’s one of five corners Auburn has brought in through the portal, helping replace the five who left after 2025.
Todd will have to battle for playing time, but the opportunity is there. Auburn’s cornerback room includes proven FBS talent like **Andre Jordan Jr.
** (UCLA), Shamar Arnoux (Florida State), and Rayshawn Pleasant, who played in 11 games for the Tigers last season. If Todd can carry over his FCS success, he could push his way into the rotation.
At linebacker, Auburn added Michael Matthews-Canty, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound sophomore from Hampton. He took a leap in 2025, finishing with 78 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. That kind of production will be welcomed in a linebacker room that’s already one of the team’s deepest units.
With returners like Xavier Atkins, Elijah Melendez, Demarcus Riddick, and Bryce Deas, Auburn’s linebacker corps is stacked. But defensive coordinator DJ Durkin likes to rotate heavily at the position, so don’t be surprised if Matthews-Canty finds his way onto the field sooner rather than later.
Final Thoughts
This week’s additions may not have brought in headline names, but they’re the kind of signings that build out a roster - and that’s exactly what Auburn needs right now. Whether it’s shoring up the offensive line, adding versatility at tight end, deepening the backfield, or reinforcing the defense, the Tigers are checking boxes across the board.
With the portal now closed, Auburn’s 2026 roster is starting to take shape. And after a whirlwind offseason, it’s clear the Tigers aren’t just looking to fill holes - they’re building a team that can compete right away.