After a disappointing 5-7 season in 2024, Auburn football is under three weeks away from preparations for the 2025 season.

The Tigers start spring practice on March 25 with reasons of optimism on offense. Auburn is returning seven offensive starters and have a number of transfers, including transfer QB Jackson Arnold and other young returners who could be poised to make an impact this season.

Of those seven returning starters, three are underclassmen with plenty to build on after their freshman seasons.

Here’s a look at five of Auburn’s top returners on offense and their potential impact in 2025:

Cam Coleman, WR

Arguably the brightest of a deep group of star freshman last season, Coleman enters his sophomore year with increased expectations.

A five-star and the second-ranked wide receiver recruit out of high school, Coleman caught 37 passes for 598 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. Much of that production came toward the end of the season, tallying 22 receptions, 206 yards and six touchdowns in the final three games of the season.

He’ll have a new quarterback in 2025, likely catching passes from Arnold. Consistent play and another year to develop in the system could create a big sophomore year for the former five-star.

Connor Lew, OL

Auburn returns all five of its starting offensive linemen from last season, creating continuity in addition to the two experienced offensive line transfers it signed.

Lew is one of the leaders of that group, starting all 12 games at center last season. Pro Football Focus recently named Lew the fifth-best interior offensive lineman in the country.

Lew had the highest pass blocking grade among Auburn offensive linemen last season (79.9), according to PFF, and the highest run blocking grade among Auburn’s starters (73.4).

Malcolm Simmons, WR

Playing alongside Coleman, Simmons was another one of Auburn’s most exciting young playmakers in 2024.

As a freshman, he caught 40 passes for 451 yards and three touchdowns, finishing second on the team in receptions. His speed was his best attribute, being utilized on everything from jet sweeps to go routes down the field.

This season, he’ll be joined by another one of the fastest players in college football, Georgia Tech transfer receiver Eric Singleton Jr. It will be interesting to watch how Auburn uses both of them together, each fitting similar profiles and having similar skillsets.

Jeremiah Wright, OL

Another member of Auburn’s returning offensive line, Wright was another bright spot on the interior in 2024.

The 2025 season will be his fifth at Auburn, starting all 12 games in 2024. He had the second-highest pass blocking grade among Auburn’s starting offensive linemen, allowing the fewest pressures among the starters.

He’ll likely keep his spot at right guard, giving the group much-needed continuity on the interior next to Lew. The bigger question will be who starts at right tackle between returner Izavion Miller and USC transfer Mason Murphy.

Damari Alston, RB

Alston is the only player on this list who wasn’t a starter last season, playing limited snaps behind star running back Jarquez Hunter.

He rushed for just 276 yards last season, but averaged 5.3 yards per carry. Alston’s best game came against New Mexico, rushing for 80 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

With Hunter’s departure, he’ll finally have a chance to be the feature back in his fourth season with the program. He’ll have to compete for carries with fellow returner Jeremiah Cobb and UConn transfer Durell Robinson, but he has the experience edge over both players.

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