As Auburn wraps up its 2025 spring football practices under head coach Hugh Freeze, the Tigers are beginning to take shape heading into the fall. With a new wave of talent arriving through both high school recruiting and the transfer portal, competition has been fierce across the board. Here’s a breakdown of Auburn’s position groups, ranked from strongest to weakest based on depth, performance, and overall outlook coming out of spring camp.
1. Defensive Line
Auburn’s defensive line looks like the most complete and dominant unit on the roster. Led by returning veterans like Keldric Faulk and the emergence of true sophomore Derick Hall Jr., the defensive front has been explosive all spring. The addition of transfer tackle Marcus Strong from Ohio State has given Auburn much-needed depth on the interior. The group has consistently disrupted the offense in scrimmages and should be the foundation of the defense this season.
2. Running Back
Despite losing Jarquez Hunter to the NFL, Auburn’s running back room remains elite. Damari Alston has stepped up as the clear RB1, displaying improved vision and pass protection. Sophomore Jeremiah Cobb and freshman Jayden Daniels bring a change-of-pace style that complements Alston’s power running. Position coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams has again developed one of the most balanced backfields in the SEC.
3. Linebacker
Led by senior Eugene Asante, the linebackers have shown marked improvement in both run stopping and coverage. Redshirt freshman Jaden Thomas has impressed with his speed and instincts, while Florida State transfer Malik McClain has added immediate athleticism and depth. The group still needs to polish communication on zone coverage schemes, but the talent and depth are encouraging.
4. Wide Receiver
This group has taken a major step forward compared to last season. North Texas transfer Ja’Mori Maclin has been a spring standout, while sophomores Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson continue to show star potential. Quarterback play is still inconsistent, but the receiver group finally looks SEC-ready, both in terms of route running and physicality.
5. Quarterback
Payton Thorne remains the likely starter, but spring ball showed some inconsistency. Redshirt freshman Walker White flashed high upside, especially in the A-Day Game, but he still needs time to develop. The position has talent but lacks a clear, elite signal-caller. Until one emerges, the group remains middle-of-the-pack.
6. Offensive Line
There’s noticeable progress here under coach Jake Thornton, but it’s still a work in progress. Transfers Avery Jones and Isaiah Jatta have added size and experience, but pass protection remains a concern. Chemistry is forming, but this group must show more consistency before it can move up the rankings.
7. Secondary
Surprisingly, the defensive backfield is the most concerning position after spring. While D.J. James is a proven playmaker at corner, the safety play has been inconsistent, and depth is thin due to injuries and transfers. True freshmen are being asked to step into key roles, which could lead to growing pains early in the season.
Heading into summer workouts, Auburn has plenty to be excited about, particularly in the trenches and skill positions. However, improvement at quarterback and in the secondary will be key to competing in a tough SEC West. Which group do you think will step up the most by fall?
