Auburn's offensive line is gearing up for a major transformation under the guidance of new head coach Alex Golesh. With several fresh faces joining the ranks, one transfer in particular might just be the linchpin of this revamped unit. While the spotlight has largely been on the tackles, it's Miami transfer Deryc Plazz who is quietly emerging as a potential breakout star for the Tigers as they head into the 2026 season.
The Tigers are set to unveil a completely new look on their offensive line, thanks to a wave of transfers vying for starting spots. The switch from Hugh Freeze to Alex Golesh at the helm has led to significant roster changes, particularly along the offensive front. The new coaching staff wasted no time in injecting new talent into the lineup.
Much of the buzz has surrounded the incoming offensive tackles, including seasoned players like Jo Simmons from James Madison, who were brought in to address one of last year's biggest concerns. However, it's the addition of interior lineman Deryc Plazz that might prove to be the most pivotal for Auburn's offense in the years to come.
Deryc Plazz could well be Auburn's hidden gem on the offensive line this season. It's surprising that he's flying under the radar, especially given his background.
Plazz was a consensus three-star recruit out of high school before he took his talents to the Miami Hurricanes. Although he redshirted his first year and saw limited action last season, he gained invaluable experience, including playing on the big stage for a National Championship.
Despite limited game tape, Auburn's coaching staff saw something special in Plazz. Throughout spring practice, he's quietly risen through the ranks and now stands as one of the most promising players on the roster.
Plazz has seemingly locked down the left guard position during spring camp, running with the first-team offense through A-Day to wrap up the spring. He has the opportunity to cement his role on the interior line alongside seasoned transfers like Cole Best, who have been part of Golesh's system for years. If Plazz secures the starting job, he could stabilize a position that has been a question mark for several seasons, especially considering he has three years of eligibility left.
With quarterback Byrum Brown expected to keep defenses on their toes with his mobility and Jeremiah Cobb spearheading one of the SEC's most formidable running back groups, Auburn's fortunes will largely hinge on the performance of their offensive line. If this unit can elevate its game this fall, Plazz will likely be a key factor in their success.
By solidifying the interior line, Auburn could position itself as one of the most formidable offenses in the SEC this season.
In Other News...
One Auburn Staff Addition Could Loom Large At Tennessee
Auburns coaching staff gained a familiar face this offseason in Tim Banks, and his arrival has a little extra relevance with Tennessee coming up on the schedule. Banks is now handling safeties for the Tigers, but his background matters just as much as his title: he spent five seasons with Josh Heupel in Knoxville as Tennessees defensive coordinator, giving Auburn a coach who knows the Volunteers offensive tendencies from the inside.
That kind of familiarity does not guarantee anything on game day, but it can matter in a matchup like this, where small edges are often built in the meeting room before they show up on the field. Banks fit alongside defensive coordinator DJ Durkin could help Auburn sort through that preparation, and the Tigers also have a few other staff ties to Knoxville in the building as they get ready for the trip. [Read more 🡒]
SEC Buzz Builds As Alabama Shifts Recruiting Talk And Arch Stirs Debate
Archie Manning stepped into the conversation around his grandsons first season as Texas starting quarterback, pushing back on the way Arch Manning was judged in 2025. He said Arch was treated unfairly, argued that people had put too much on him before he ever took a snap, and pointed to the way the quarterback settled in and played through the back half of the year.
Meanwhile, Alabamas recruiting momentum picked up again with a commitment that gives the Crimson Tide another early piece in a class that had drawn some scrutiny. For Auburn fans, it is another reminder that the race on the trail never really slows down in this league, and Alabama is already trying to reset the conversation about where its 2027 class is headed. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn May Be Headed For A Bigger Year 1 Than Expected
Expectations are already climbing around Auburn in Alex Goleshs first season, and the early national projections suggest the Tigers could settle into a winning year right away. A CBS Sports forecast has Auburn at 7-5, but there is a growing sense that the roster work done through the transfer portal, along with the programs recruiting push, gives this team a better chance to outperform the cautious outside view.
A more optimistic read of the schedule points toward a stronger finish and even the possibility of a winning SEC record in year one, which would be a notable step for a staff still settling in. The real question now is whether Auburn can turn that offseason momentum into enough conference wins to make the higher-end projection feel less like a ceiling and more like the baseline. [Read more 🡒]