As the calendar creeps toward January 2nd and the NCAA’s 15-day winter transfer portal window opens, Auburn football-like just about every major program in the country-is bracing for roster movement. It's the new normal in college football: players exploring their options, coaches re-recruiting their own locker rooms, and fans refreshing Twitter like it’s National Signing Day.
Auburn’s no exception. The Tigers are expected to see more names pop up in the portal, and while some departures are manageable, others could leave a real dent. Let’s break down five potential losses that would hit hardest for Hugh Freeze’s squad-and why these names matter.
Jay Crawford: The Cornerstone of the Secondary
Let’s start with the big one. Jay Crawford isn’t just Auburn’s top potential loss-he’s one of the most valuable defensive players in the SEC.
A two-year starter at cornerback, Crawford has been a lockdown presence on the perimeter, routinely drawing the opponent’s top receiver and holding his own. His instincts, ball skills, and ability to play physical without drawing flags have made him a cornerstone of the Tigers’ defense.
If he enters the portal, he won’t be there long. Programs across the country will line up for a shot at landing a corner with his pedigree.
Auburn’s secondary has some promising young pieces, but replacing Crawford’s experience and talent is another story. You don’t just plug in a guy like that from the portal and expect the same results.
If Auburn can’t convince him to stick around, this would be one of the most significant losses of the entire transfer cycle-not just for the Tigers, but potentially across the SEC landscape.
Malcolm Simmons: Untapped Potential on Offense
Then there’s Malcolm Simmons, a player who’s shown flashes but hasn’t quite put it all together-yet. He’s got the tools: size, speed, and a frame that makes him a matchup problem for most defensive backs.
But through his first two seasons, consistency has been the issue. That said, he finished last season on a high note, delivering his two best performances back-to-back.
And that late-season surge could be just enough to boost his stock heading into the portal.
Simmons is the kind of player who could blossom in the right system-maybe even become a breakout star. For Auburn, losing him would mean more than just subtracting a name from the depth chart.
It would mean losing a player whose ceiling is still rising, and whose physical gifts are hard to replace. If he finds the right fit elsewhere, Auburn fans might be watching his highlights from a distance next fall, wondering what could’ve been.
The transfer portal era is all about managing change, and Auburn’s staff knows that better than most. Some departures are inevitable. But when players like Jay Crawford and Malcolm Simmons start exploring their options, it’s not just about who’s leaving-it’s about what kind of impact they were poised to make if they stayed.
And in today’s college football world, that’s the game within the game.