Auburn football fans woke up to a jolt on December 29, 2025, as reports confirmed that star wide receiver Cam Coleman is set to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on January 2, 2026. The move, first reported by Hayes Fawcett of On3 and echoed by multiple outlets including CBS Sports and Auburn Undercover, signals a dramatic shift for the Tigers’ offense just as new head coach Alex Golesh prepares for his inaugural season on the Plains.
Cam Coleman’s name has been synonymous with promise and performance since he arrived at Auburn. Hailing from Phenix City, Alabama, Coleman was the highest-rated offensive signee in Auburn history—a Five-Star Plus+ recruit ranked No. 4 overall and No. 2 among wide receivers nationally in the 2024 class, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. His recruitment was a saga in itself: originally committed to Texas A&M, he flipped to Auburn after the Aggies parted ways with head coach Jimbo Fisher. That December 2023 decision was widely hailed as a major coup for Hugh Freeze’s recruiting efforts.
On the field, Coleman lived up to every bit of the hype. Over two seasons, he racked up 93 receptions for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns in 23 games, with his sophomore campaign cementing his status as the focal point of the Tigers’ aerial attack. His breakout truly began at the tail end of his freshman year, when he hauled in 22 passes for 306 yards and six touchdowns in the last three games—an explosive finish that set the tone for his sophomore leap.
This past season, Coleman led Auburn’s wide receivers with 56 catches for 708 yards and five touchdowns, trailing only Eric Singleton Jr., who paced the team with 58 receptions. Coleman’s knack for delivering in big moments was never more evident than in Auburn’s upset victory over No. 15 Texas A&M in 2024, where he posted a jaw-dropping seven catches for 128 yards and two scores. That performance endeared him to fans and marked him as one of the Tigers’ most reliable playmakers.
Yet, despite the best efforts of Alex Golesh and his new staff—who reportedly were ready to make Coleman one of the highest-paid returning players in the program—Coleman has opted to seek new opportunities. According to Auburn Undercover, retaining Coleman was a top priority, and Golesh’s team worked hard to convince him to stay. But as the transfer portal window approaches, Coleman is poised to become one of the most sought-after players in college football, with two years of eligibility remaining.
“Coleman was one of the biggest recruiting wins in program history, and lived up to the hype,” wrote Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, capturing the sentiment felt by many around the program.
Coleman’s departure is part of a wider exodus from Auburn’s roster following the coaching transition. In total, 24 players from the 2025 squad have announced intentions to enter the transfer portal. The wide receiver room, once considered one of the nation’s deepest, is being gutted. Malcolm Simmons, Perry Thompson, Horatio Fields, and Cam’Ron King have all declared their plans to transfer, collectively accounting for more than 110 catches and over 1,000 yards from last season. Eric Singleton Jr., the team’s leading receiver, has yet to reveal his plans for 2026, leaving further uncertainty for the Tigers’ offense.
The losses aren’t limited to the offensive side of the ball. Auburn’s defense, which ranked among the country’s best last season, will also be hit hard. Key contributors such as Robert Woodyard (the team’s second-leading tackler with 67 stops), Jay Crawford, Kayin Lee, Malik Blocton, Amaris Williams, and Kensley Faustin are all departing. Blocton and Williams, in particular, were instrumental on the defensive line, combining for 10.5 tackles for loss.
The NCAA’s revamped transfer portal rules—enacted in October 2025—add another wrinkle to the unfolding drama. The new regulations have shifted the portal window to January 2-16, eliminating the previous spring window and requiring graduate transfers to follow the same timeline. Notably, players can no longer enter the portal immediately after a coaching change; instead, they must wait five days after a new coach is hired, and only if that hire occurs after January 2 does a 15-day window open. This change was designed to bring more structure to the transfer process, but it’s also created a high-stakes, condensed period for roster decisions.
For Auburn, the timing couldn’t be more challenging. The program is in the midst of a significant rebuild under Golesh, who must now contend with the loss of his top playmaker and a raft of other key contributors. The receiving corps, once a source of pride, is suddenly a glaring question mark. The Tigers’ faithful, already desperate for hope after a tumultuous few seasons, are left wondering how the new staff will fill so many holes in such a short time.
“The orange and blue will have many holes to fill when the transfer portal officially opens on Jan. 2, and it will be interesting to see how Golesh and his staff field a team that gives a desperate fan base hope after losing one of the best players in college football,” observed The Plainsman, highlighting the sense of urgency and uncertainty gripping the Auburn community.
Despite the upheaval, there are some bright spots. All-American linebacker Xavier Atkins has re-signed with the team, providing much-needed stability on defense. Redshirt freshman quarterback Deuce Knight, another top retention target, has yet to announce his decision. How these remaining pieces fall into place will go a long way in determining Auburn’s prospects for the 2026 season.
As for Coleman, his next destination is sure to be one of the hottest storylines of the offseason. Given his pedigree, production, and remaining eligibility, he is expected to draw interest from college football’s elite programs. According to WHNT, “Fawcett says Coleman will immediately become the top wide receiver in the portal.” With offers likely to pour in, Coleman’s decision will be closely watched not just by Auburn fans, but by the entire college football landscape.
The transfer portal opens in just a few days, and Auburn’s roster transformation is only beginning. For Alex Golesh and his staff, the challenge now is to regroup, reload, and restore confidence among a fan base eager for a return to glory. The coming weeks promise to be pivotal—not just for Auburn, but for every program seeking to capitalize on the new era of college football free agency.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the Plains will look very different in 2026, and all eyes will be on how the Tigers respond to this latest wave of change.
