The Spring Transfer Portal Window Closed: How Did Auburn Football Fare?

AUBURN, Ala. — The spring transfer portal window slammed shut this week, and across college football, rosters are beginning to settle in for the 2025 season. For Auburn football, this period brought a flurry of changes, some key pickups, and a few surprising departures — all setting the stage for what could be a pivotal year under head coach Hugh Freeze.

As Freeze prepares for his second full season at the helm, Auburn’s transfer portal activity reflects a clear strategy: plug immediate holes, add proven experience, and continue reshaping the roster into a team that can contend in a rugged SEC.

So now that the dust has settled, how did Auburn truly fare in the spring transfer portal window? Let’s break it down.

A Targeted Approach: Quality Over Quantity

Unlike the winter portal period, when Auburn aggressively overhauled several position groups, the spring window was about precision. Freeze and his staff didn’t chase numbers; they chased fit.

“We knew what we needed,” Freeze said last week during a media session. “It wasn’t about signing 10 guys. It was about getting the right ones — the ones who could come in and contribute immediately or raise the competition level.”

The Tigers were relatively quiet early in the window, but things picked up in the final two weeks as needs became clearer after spring practice evaluations.

Ultimately, Auburn added four transfers during the spring window, each addressing a different area of concern:

• Wide Receiver: Auburn landed Jalen Williams from Michigan State, a speedy, 6’2″ deep threat with two years of eligibility remaining.
• Offensive Line: Marcus Hill, a versatile interior lineman from Louisville, joined to add depth and experience.
• Linebacker: The Tigers added Isaiah Clarke, a tackling machine from Tulsa, expected to immediately compete for a starting spot.
• Cornerback: In a late move, Auburn secured Tavion Banks from Arizona State, giving the secondary a needed veteran presence after some surprising departures.

These additions weren’t necessarily splashy, but they were strategic — and that was exactly what Auburn needed.

Key Departures: Roster Attrition Was Expected

As much as Auburn was able to add, they also saw several players exit the program during the spring window — some expected, others more surprising.

Here’s a breakdown of the most notable departures:

• Holden Geriner (QB): Perhaps the biggest eyebrow-raiser. The former four-star quarterback, who battled for the starting job last year, entered the portal after a spring where he seemed stuck behind Payton Thorne and freshman standout Hank Brown.
• Austin Ausberry (CB): Once a promising young corner, Ausberry decided to seek opportunities elsewhere after being buried on the depth chart.
• Jeremiah Cobb (RB): A former top recruit, Cobb entered the portal after being leapfrogged by other backs in the spring depth chart shuffle.
• Connor Lew (OL): A backup center/guard who saw limited action, Lew transferred out in search of a starting opportunity.

In total, Auburn saw eight scholarship players enter the portal this spring.

Freeze addressed the departures candidly: “The portal is just part of life now. Sometimes it’s about playing time. Sometimes it’s about fit. I wish every one of those guys the best. But I’m excited about the group we have going forward.”

Position-by-Position Breakdown

Let’s take a closer look at where Auburn stands post-portal window at key positions:

Quarterback

Despite losing Holden Geriner, Auburn’s quarterback room remains stable. Payton Thorne, the incumbent starter, had a strong spring and seems locked in as QB1 heading into fall camp. True freshman Hank Brown turned heads with his poise and arm talent, while redshirt freshman Walker White continues to develop.

Freeze expressed confidence in the group: “We feel really good about our quarterbacks. Hank’s ahead of schedule. Walker’s got a ton of potential. And Payton’s leadership has been outstanding.”

Running Back

The Tigers still boast a deep and talented backfield, even after Jeremiah Cobb’s departure. Sophomore sensation Damari Alston looks primed for a breakout year, while Brian Battie and Jeremiah Wright provide experienced options. Incoming freshman Micah Welch could also factor into the rotation.

Running backs coach Cadillac Williams said the competition is fierce: “Nobody’s been handed anything. We’re gonna have fresh legs and lots of options.”

Wide Receiver

Landing Jalen Williams was a big boost. Auburn’s receivers flashed potential this spring, with Camden Brown and Jay Fair standing out, but adding a proven vertical threat like Williams gives Thorne another weapon.

The Tigers hope that with Williams stretching the field, the underneath routes will open up for players like Fair and freshman phenom Malcolm Simmons.

Offensive Line

The offensive line needed help, and Marcus Hill provides it. A multi-year starter at Louisville, Hill can play guard or center, adding flexibility and toughness to a group that showed promise but lacks elite depth.

Freeze said Hill’s leadership was a major factor in recruiting him: “He’s seen a lot of football. He’s going to make us better the second he walks into that locker room.”

Defense

Defensively, Auburn’s biggest moves were about shoring up the second and third levels:

• Linebacker: Isaiah Clarke brings speed and physicality to a group that already has Eugene Asante and Austin Keys but needed another athletic presence.
• Secondary: Losing Ausberry hurt, but adding Tavion Banks stabilized things. Banks brings 25 career starts from his time at Arizona State and can play outside or nickel.

The defensive line remained untouched during the spring window — a good sign that Freeze and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts are happy with the unit heading into 2025.

What It All Means: Auburn’s Identity is Taking Shape

So what does it all mean? In short, Auburn’s roster looks stronger, more complete, and more experienced after the spring portal window.

It’s clear Freeze is building an identity: a physical, fundamentally sound team that can win at the line of scrimmage and has enough speed and playmaking ability to strike fear into opponents.

This roster isn’t a finished product yet — Freeze even admitted Auburn will likely still monitor the “free agent” market this summer if surprise names pop up — but it’s much closer to resembling the SEC powerhouse fans expect.

Perhaps most importantly, the locker room seems unified. In an era where transfers can fracture team chemistry, multiple Auburn players spoke about how Freeze and his staff have created a positive culture.

“The brotherhood we have is real,” said senior linebacker Eugene Asante. “You either buy in or you don’t. And if you don’t, it’s no hard feelings, but we’re moving forward.”

National Perspective: How Auburn’s Portal Strategy Compares

National analysts praised Auburn’s portal approach this spring. While some programs panicked and loaded up on last-minute transfers, Auburn stayed disciplined.

ESPN’s Tom Luginbill graded Auburn’s spring portal efforts as a solid A-, writing: “Hugh Freeze understood his roster, targeted specific needs, and didn’t overreach. That’s how you build sustainable success.”

The Athletic’s Max Olson added: “Auburn isn’t chasing stars. They’re chasing fit. And it’s working.”

When you consider that Auburn added quality starters without sacrificing long-term roster health — and kept most of their key players in the fold — it’s hard not to see the spring as a major win.

Looking Ahead: Key Storylines for the Summer

As Auburn moves into summer workouts and the countdown to fall camp begins, a few key storylines emerge:

• Can the offensive line gel quickly with the new addition of Marcus Hill?
• Will Jalen Williams emerge as the true WR1 Auburn desperately needs?
• How fast can Isaiah Clarke and Tavion Banks learn Ron Roberts’ defense?
• Is Hank Brown truly ready to push Payton Thorne if needed?

The answers to those questions could determine just how far Auburn goes in 2025.

Freeze has been open about the goals for Year 2: be competitive in every SEC game, fight for a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff, and continue building toward national relevance.

With the portal window now closed, the pieces are mostly in place.

Now it’s about work, development, and belief.

Auburn’s Portal Grade

In a chaotic, ever-changing world of college football roster management, Hugh Freeze and Auburn navigated the spring transfer portal window with savvy and precision.

Final Grade: A-

They added proven contributors, minimized roster attrition, and continued to foster a strong team culture.

If the new additions hit as expected — and if the returning players continue to develop — Auburn could be one of the big risers in the SEC this fall.

The road won’t be easy. In the SEC, it never is.

But for the first time in a long time, Auburn looks ready to truly rejoin the fight at the top.

And after this spring, Tiger fans have every reason to believe the best is yet to come.