In the latest of a series highlighting key players and coaches ahead of Auburn football’s 2025 season, center Connor Lew is entering a pivotal junior season with the Tigers.

Already looked as one of the leaders on this roster, Auburn coach Hugh Freeze is confident in what Lew brings to the offensive front.

“The leadership of the team I feel did a good job whether its Connor Lew or Jeremiah Wright offensively,” Freeze said at Jimmy Rane’s annual charity banquet last Thursday. “I think those guys took charge initially until guys like Jackson Arnold came in.”

Auburn’s offensive line returns four of its five starters from last season. Lew broke down what it was like stepping into that veteran role for the Tigers during the spring.

“Now I’m getting the chance to kind of return the favor to the guys that are now coming up and kind of doing what the older guys taught me when they were mentoring me,” Lew said back in March.

“Being a mentor for the younger guys now is so cool and I’m getting to enjoy that,” Lew added. “Hopefully one day the lessons that I learned get passed down to them and when they become the veterans in the group, they do the same.”

Lew’s athleticism and ability to get out in space sets the foundation for a Tigers line that is full of college experience.

When looking at the returning centers in the conference, Alabama’s Parker Brailsford, Braedon Moore of Ole Miss and Florida’s Jake Slaughter are the top candidates for best center in the SEC.

Alongside Vanderbilt’s Braxton Caston and LSU transfer Braelin Moore, Lew makes an argument to be listed among the players in the running for the first-team All-SEC center spot this year.

Entering his third year in the starting rotation, Lew wants to keep playing the game the only way he knows how for Auburn this fall.

The right way.

“Biggest thing is just when you do have success, just play the next play. If you have an off play, you get beat, play the next play,” Lew said. “You just got to learn to waver the storm and just play as level-headed, consistent throughout the whole thing.”

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports forAL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3or email him at [email protected].