The Auburn Tigers have experienced a substantial overhaul in their wide receiver lineup, which may ultimately benefit the team. In 2024, the Tigers welcomed a highly regarded group of recruits, including five-star Cam Coleman and four-star players Perry Thompson, Malcolm Simmons, and Bryce Cain, collectively referred to as the Freeze Four. However, just two seasons later, three of the four have transferred to other programs, prompting the arrival of five new players from the transfer portal.
Can Auburn adequately replace the lost talent? If evaluating solely on recruiting stars, the answer seems bleak. Head coach Alex Golesh has enlisted four receivers from his previous squad at USF: Keshaun Singleton, Jeremiah Koger, Chas Nimrod, and Christian Neptune. Additionally, Auburn has secured the transfer of Scrap Richardson from Notre Dame. All five new additions are rated as three-star transfers by 247 Sports, while Coleman remains a five-star prospect. Thompson and Simmons hold four-star ratings in their own right.
However, ratings do not always tell the entire story. Recent trends in college football show that players who excel at one level can often perform well when given increased opportunities. Coaches like Indiana”s Curt Cignetti and Texas Tech”s Joey McGuire have successfully transformed their teams by targeting players with proven track records in both Group of Five and Power Five conferences.
Statistically, the incoming transfers have outperformed their departing counterparts. Singleton eclipsed any Auburn receiver in terms of production, with Koger and Nimrod also surpassing all Auburn receivers aside from Coleman. Notably, Neptune, despite being the fifth receiver on the Bulls” depth chart in 2025, outgained Thompson by nearly 200 yards.
The quartet of USF receivers contributed a total of 2,275 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2025, which surpasses the combined season passing totals of Jackson Arnold and Ashton Daniels by 169 yards and 11 touchdowns. It”s clear that the dynamic play of new Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown, alongside Golesh”s high-octane offensive scheme, contributed to the significantly higher production from the incoming transfers.
Moreover, these new receivers already possess established chemistry with Brown, having played alongside him, and will benefit from a much-improved offensive line and running back group in 2026. While Coleman is undoubtedly a standout talent and will be the primary target for Arch Manning at Texas this season, Auburn lacks a pass catcher of his caliber. However, the top three options from USF displayed film that arguably rivals Simmons” performance in 2025.
Although Singleton and Koger may not match Simmons in athleticism, they bring a wealth of experience and reliable hands. Both have valuable experience in tracking deep passes, a skill that Simmons struggled with during his time at Auburn. Furthermore, the incoming transfers have seen their stock rise in the recruiting rankings, with Koger and Singleton becoming top 50 receivers, while the outgoing transfers, Thompson and Simmons, have seen their rankings decline.
The combination of the experienced USF quartet, the athleticism of returning wideout Cain, and the potential of Richardson from Notre Dame should provide Brown and Golesh with ample options to elevate the Tigers” offense in 2026.
