The spring semester at Auburn is here, meaning a number of new football players have arrived on campus and preparations for the 2025 season can start ramping up.

The Tigers are coming off a disappointing 5-7 season and bring a roster into 2025 that is mixed with both returners and impact transfers. Auburn will have a new starter at quarterback following Payton Thorne’s departure, an area in which the program has lacked consistent production in recent years.

Auburn also replaces other key contributors such as Jarquez Hunter and KeAndre-Lambert Smith, but returns a class of rising sophomores that impressed as freshmen.

With spring practice around two months away, here are our projections for who will start at the beginning of the season.

Quarterback

Projected starter: Jackson Arnold

Analysis: Auburn’s quarterback room will look completely different in 2025 after losing all four scholarship quarterbacks from last season. Arnold and Ashton Daniels were the two high-profile transfers Hugh Freeze brought in, but with Daniels not expected to arrive until after spring practice, the job is Arnold’s to lose.

Running back

Projected starter: Damari Alston

Analysis: Auburn could take a running back by committee approach into the 2025 season after losing Jarquez Hunter, who’s been the go-to back for the last two seasons. Alston is the most experienced in the room, but Jeremiah Cobb and UConn transfer Durell Robinson will likely get a share of carries too.

Wide receiver

Projected starters: Eric Singleton, Cam Coleman, Horatio Fields

Analysis: Singleton was arguably Auburn’s biggest transfer signee, ranked as the No. 1 receiver in the portal. He and Fields both bring experience and production to a room filled with young talent.

Malcolm Simmons is another player who will likely see a lot of snaps, but having the big bodies of Fields and Coleman on the outside and Singleton in the slot would align with what Auburn did at receiver in 2024.

Tight end

Projected starter: Brandon Frazier

Analysis: Tight end is a spot where Auburn may look to add another piece during the spring transfer portal window, but until then, Frazier’s experience gives him the nod. Another name to watch is Maryland transfer Preston Howard, who caught 24 passes for 189 yards with the Terrapins in 2024.

Offensive line

Projected starters: Xavier Chaplin (LT), Dillon Wade (LG), Connor Lew (C), Jeremiah Wright (RG), Izavion Miller (RT)

Analysis: Chaplin was the marquee offensive line transfer during the winter window and should be first in line for the left tackle job. USC transfer Mason Murphy will likely compete for the job at right tackle, but Miller is someone the staff has been high on as he continues to develop.

Defensive end

Projected starter: Keldric Faulk

Analysis: Arguably the best player on Auburn’s defense, Faulk retains his spot in 2025.

Defensive tackle

Projected starter: Malik Blocton

Analysis: Auburn is going to be young on the interior defensive line in 2025, but Blocton already proved himself as a freshman in 2024. He’s someone to watch for a potential breakout season.

Nose tackle

Projected starter: Quientrail Jamison-Travis

Analysis: Jamison-Travis was a consistent performer for Auburn at nose tackle in 2024, and seems to be the current favorite to keep the job. He’ll compete with Western Kentucky transfer Dallas Walker IV, but regardless of who the starter is, plenty of rotation is expected on the interior.

BUCK (outside linebacker)

Projected starter: Keyron Crawford

Analysis: This one is a toss-up between Crawford and Sam Houston State transfer Chris Murray. Crawford’s experience in the system gives him the slight nod, but expect both players to have opportunities.

Middle linebacker

Projected starters: Demarcus Riddick, Robert Woodyard Jr.

Analysis: Inside linebacker is another spot where Auburn might add more players after spring practice, but as of now, Riddick and Woodyard seem to be the favorites to start. LSU transfer Xavier Atkins will likely compete for a starting spot too, but Riddick and Woodyard’s experience in the system give them the edge for now.

Cornerback

Projected starters: Jay Crawford, Kayin Lee

Analysis: Crawford and Lee were Auburn’s starters for most of last season, but Miami (OH) transfer Raion Strader could also make a hard push for a starting spot.

Nickel

Projected starter: Champ Anthony

Analysis: Anthony missed most of 2024 with a gruesome leg injury, but was arguably Auburn’s best defensive back before getting hurt. Assuming he’s back at full strength, he’s the player to beat at nickel.

Free safety

Projected starter: Sylvester Smith

Analysis: Smith was one of many young players to break out during the 2024 season, playing both safety and nickel. With Jerrin Thompson gone, he’ll likely go back to his natural position at safety and is likely the favorite to win the job. Georgia Tech transfer Taye Seymore is another player to watch here.

Strong safety

Projected starter: Kaleb Harris

Analysis: One of Auburn’s most impressive freshmen in 2024, Harris retains his starting spot in 2025.

Specialists

Projected starters: Connor Gibbs (K), Hudson Kaak (P)

Analysis: Punter is pretty straightforward, with Kaak, an Oklahoma State transfer, replacing Oscar Chapman. Kicker will be interesting as Alex McPherson’s long-term future is still uncertain. If he’s unavailable or can’t get back to his previous strength, Gibbs will compete with Towns McGough, who started last season but was 5-for-12 on field goals.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m