Anonymous coaches, GMs, evaluate Auburn's impressive transfer portal haul
Four of Auburn's transfer portal additions were included in The Athletic's top 100 transfer rankings, and they are catching the eyes of college football's most trusted coaches and general managers. Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton checks in at No. 7, followed by Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold (No. 31), Virginia Tech offensive lineman transfer Xavier Chaplin, and Miami (Ohio) defensive back Raion Strader (No. 44).
The Athletic reached out to several head coaches, coordinators, and general managers to provide feedback for several transfers on the list. In terms of Auburn's representation, their anonymous responses will bring excitement to the Tiger fanbase.
One player who received an anonymous evaluation was quarterback Jackson Arnold, who is slated to become Auburn's starting quarterback. Arnold, a former five-star quarterback and a Gatorade Player of the Year award winner from Texas, departed Oklahoma after a less-than-ideal tenure. Despite the challenges of playing for multiple offensive coordinators and injuries to his wide receiver corps, Arnold managed to pass for 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns last season in Norman.
Now on the Plains, Arnold is projected to have a "fresh start" with one of the nation's best wide receiver units and an experienced offensive line. One Power Four coordinator feels that Arnold is still a great quarterback and that a change of scenery could bring back the spark that he once had.
'I think he's really talented. He still has a chance to be a really good player,' a Power Four coordinator said.
Singleton was Georgia Tech's leading receiver in each of the last two seasons by reeling in 104 catches for 1,468 yards and nine touchdowns. Not only is he a solid addition to the wide receiver room, but he is a threat in the return game. He is expected to join Rayshawn Pleasant, another transfer known for his speed, in the Tigers' return unit this season.
His decision to transfer away from Georgia Tech was met with criticism by the media in the Atlanta market; however, Singleton's addition to Auburn's stacked offense will ultimately push the program in a positive direction. One Power Four General Manager says that Singleton's high transfer ranking is warranted.
'He's the real deal. He was the best receiver in the portal,' the anonymous general manager told The Athletic.
Chaplin and Strader round out the top 50 of The Athletic's rankings. Chaplin started 25 games at left tackle for Virginia Tech over the last two seasons, and the likes of Bruce Feldman, Sam Kahn Jr., and Manny Navarro, who compiled the rankings, feel that Chaplin's experience will allow Dillon Wade to play more guard this season after shuffling around the unit last season.
As for Strader, the piece believes that the All-MAC selection will help Auburn's cornerback position, which will also include Jay Crawford and Kayin Lee.
Auburn's 2025 transfer portal haul ranked No. 8 in 247Sports' transfer portal rankings, leading several key programs, including Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Colorado. Auburn filled several more needs from portal talent at running back (Durell Robinson), wide receiver (Eric Singleton and Horatio Fields), and linebacker (Caleb Wheatland).
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