Auburn’s offense under new coordinator Alex Golesh just took a major hit - and it’s a big one. Star wide receiver Cam Coleman, the highest-rated offensive signee in program history, is expected to enter the transfer portal when it opens on January 2. That’s a seismic shift for a team trying to build momentum heading into 2026.
Coleman was more than just a prized recruit. He was a game-changer from the moment he stepped on campus.
The Phenix City native made an immediate impact as a true freshman and has since put up 93 catches for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns across two seasons. Those aren’t just solid numbers - they’re the kind of production that made him the centerpiece of Auburn’s offense and a focal point of every opposing defensive game plan.
Auburn’s new staff, led by Golesh, had been working hard to keep Coleman in the fold. In fact, they were prepared to make him one of the highest-paid returning players on the roster - a clear sign of how much they valued his presence. But now, it looks like Coleman is ready to explore his next opportunity elsewhere, leaving a significant void in the Tigers' offensive blueprint.
This departure is part of a broader shakeup in Auburn’s wide receiver room. Malcolm Simmons, Perry Thompson, and Horatio Fields have all announced their intentions to enter the portal as well.
That’s a lot of talent walking out the door, and it means Auburn will be rebuilding its receiving corps from the ground up. The status of Eric Singleton Jr. remains uncertain, but the room is already looking very different than it did just a few weeks ago.
Coleman’s decision comes during a period of transition not just for Auburn, but across college football, thanks to changes in the NCAA’s transfer portal rules. The portal window now opens from January 2 to January 16 - a shift from the previous early-December start - and the spring portal window has been eliminated entirely. Graduate transfers, who once had more flexibility, now have to stick to that same January window.
There’s also a new wrinkle for players affected by coaching changes. In the past, those athletes had a 30-day window to enter the portal immediately. Now, they have to wait five days after a new coach is hired, and even then, they only get a 15-day window - and only if the hire happens after January 2.
For Auburn, the timing couldn’t be trickier. The staff is still trying to stabilize the roster amid all the movement, and Coleman’s exit is a tough blow.
He was one of the top retention priorities, right up there with All-American linebacker Xavier Atkins and redshirt freshman quarterback Deuce Knight. Atkins is staying put, and Knight’s decision is still pending - but losing Coleman stings.
There’s no sugarcoating it: Auburn’s offense will look very different next season. And while Golesh is known for his creativity and ability to build explosive systems, replacing a talent like Cam Coleman is no easy task. The countdown to January 2 is on, and the next two weeks are going to be critical for the Tigers as they try to retool and reload.