2025 Auburn Football Season Preview: Crunch Time On The Plains

The Auburn Tigers enter the 2025 season with a mix of optimism and pressure under Head Coach Hugh Freeze, who begins his third year on the Plains. After consecutive losing seasons (6-7 in 2023, 5-7 in 2024), Freeze is looking to turn the corner with his most talented roster yet, aiming to end the string of losing seasons and reclaim Auburn’s place among the SEC’s elite.

Click here for all of EasySportz’s college football coverage. SEC Previews: South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Missouri, Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, Texas A&M, LSU.

Storylines Entering the Season

• Jackson Arnold at Quarterback: The biggest storyline is the arrival of Oklahoma transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold. After a challenging 2024 season at OU, Arnold is expected to thrive in Freeze’s quarterback-friendly system. His ability to provide stability and consistent play will be paramount for the offense.
• Offensive Line Strength: Coach Freeze has expressed confidence in the offensive line, calling it his “favorite on paper.” With returning starters and talented transfers, the unit is expected to improve significantly, allowing for a stronger run game and better pass protection.
• Receiving Corps Potential: Auburn boasts a potentially elite pass-catching duo in Cam Coleman and Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton Jr., complemented by Malcolm Simmons. This group has the potential to be one of the best in the country, providing Arnold with ample weapons.
• Linebacker Room Questions: The linebacker position faces significant questions due to the loss of veteran experience. While there’s talent, new transfers and young players will need to step up quickly to fill crucial roles and maintain defensive integrity.
• Hugh Freeze on the Hot Seat: Despite improving the talent level, Freeze enters 2025 on the hot seat after two losing seasons. His ability to deliver a winning record and compete against rivals like Georgia and Alabama (both played at home this year) will be closely scrutinized.

Key Players

• Jackson Arnold (QB, Jr.): The Oklahoma transfer is the key to Auburn’s offensive success. His dual-threat abilities and potential for a fresh start in Freeze’s system make him the most important player.
• Cam Coleman (WR, So.): A highly-touted sophomore receiver who is expected to be a primary target and a major playmaker in the passing game.
• Eric Singleton Jr. (WR, Jr.): A Georgia Tech transfer who brings speed and playmaking ability, forming a formidable duo with Coleman.
• Damari Alston (RB, Sr.): An experienced running back who will lead the ground attack, aiming to benefit from an improved offensive line.
• Keldric Faulk (DE, Jr.): A preseason All-SEC pick and potential 2026 NFL first-rounder, Faulk is a dominant force on the defensive line and will be crucial for generating pressure.
• Connor Lew (C, Jr.): An anchor on the offensive line, Lew’s leadership and consistent play will be vital for the unit’s cohesion.
• Demarcus Riddick (LB, So.): A talented sophomore linebacker with high upside who is expected to see a dramatic increase in playing time and production.
• Kayin Lee (CB, Jr.): A returning starter in the secondary who will be relied upon for consistent coverage.

Depth Chart (Projected)

Offense

• QB: Jackson Arnold (Jr.) / Ashton Daniels (Sr.)
• RB: Damari Alston (Sr.) / Jeremiah Cobb (Jr.) / Alvin Henderson (Fr.)
• WR (X): Cam Coleman (So.) / Horatio Fields (R-Sr.)
• WR (Z): Eric Singleton Jr. (Jr.) / Perry Thompson (So.)
• WR (H/Slot): Malcolm Simmons (So.) / Bryce Cain (R-Fr.)
• LT: Xavier Chaplin (R-Jr.) / Izavion Miller (Sr.)
• LG: Dillon Wade (Sr.) / DeAndre Carter (R-Fr.)
• C: Connor Lew (Jr.) / Dylan Senda (R-So.)
• RG: Jeremiah Wright (R-Sr.) / Seth Wilfred (R-So.)
• RT: Mason Murphy (R-Sr.) / Tyler Johnson (So.)
• TE: Brandon Frazier (Sr.) / Preston Howard (R-Jr.)

Defense

• DE: Keldric Faulk (Jr.) / Amaris Williams (So.)
• NT: Quientrail Jamison-Travis (R-Sr.) / Jay Hardy (R-Sr.)
• DT: Malik Blocton (So.) / Malik Autry (Fr.)
• BUCK (EDGE): Keyron Crawford (Sr.) / Chris Murray (R-Sr.)
• WLB: Demarcus Riddick (So.) / Xavier Atkins (R-Fr.)
• MLB: Robert Woodyard Jr. (R-Jr.) / Caleb Wheatland (Sr.)
• LCB: Kayin Lee (Jr.) / Raion Strader (Jr.)
• SS: Kaleb Harris (So.) / Eric Winters (Fr.)
• FS: Jacoby Mathews (Jr.) / Taye Seymore (Jr.)
• RCB: Jay Crawford (So.) / Champ Anthony (R-Jr.)
• NB: Sylvester Smith (So.) / Anquon Fegans (Fr.)

Special Teams

• P: Hudson Kaak (Jr.)
• PK: Alex McPherson (R-Jr.)
• KR: Jeremiah Cobb (Jr.) / Alvin Henderson (Fr.)
• PR: Eric Singleton Jr. (Jr.) / Malcolm Simmons (So.)

Full Schedule

Key Games Focus

Here are 2-3 key games that could define Auburn’s 2025 season:

1. September 20 at Oklahoma: This road trip to Norman marks an early SEC test against a new conference foe. A strong performance against the Sooners, especially with Jackson Arnold facing his former team, would be a significant statement about Auburn’s potential and ability to compete in the expanded SEC.
2. October 11 vs. Georgia: The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry returns to Jordan-Hare Stadium. Georgia is a perennial national title contender, and a home victory against them would be a monumental win for Hugh Freeze and could dramatically alter the trajectory of Auburn’s season and the SEC title race.
3. November 29 vs. Alabama (Iron Bowl): The Iron Bowl is always the most important game on Auburn’s schedule, and this year it’s at home to close the regular season. After recent struggles in the rivalry, a win over Alabama would be a program-defining moment, providing immense momentum and potentially saving Hugh Freeze’s job.

Lee Bushkell

See Full Bio