Alex Golesh’s Auburn offense will now be without the program’s superstar receiver.
Wide receiver Cam Coleman is expected to enter the transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2, Auburn Undercover has been informed, after Auburn’s new coaching staff had been hard at work in attempts to solidify Coleman on next season’s roster.
The highest-rated offensive signee in program history, Coleman was the crowning achievement of Hugh Freeze’s recruiting efforts during his Auburn tenure. The Phenix City, Alabama, product popped right away as a true freshman, and has totaled 93 receptions, 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons at Auburn.
Golesh and Auburn’s staff were ready to make Coleman one of, if not Auburn’s highest-paid returning player on the roster, but he’ll now look for his next opportunity elsewhere. The former 5-star recruit was one of the Tigers’ top retention priorities, along with All-American linebacker Xavier Atkins and redshirt freshman quarterback Deuce Knight. Atkins has re-signed, while Knight has yet to share his decision.
Auburn’s receiving corps will look a lot different next season, as Malcolm Simmons, Perry Thompson and Horatio Fields have all also shared their intentions to enter the portal. Eric Singleton Jr. has yet to share his plans for 2026.
The 15-day transfer portal window opens Jan. 2.
The NCAA Division I Administrative Council in October enacted new transfer rules that shifted the way that the portal calendar works for FBS and FCS athletes:
– Instead of the transfer portal window opening in early December, as it had in recent years, it will now stretch from Jan. 2 to Jan. 16.
– The NCAA eliminated the spring transfer portal window.
– Unlike in previous years when graduate transfers could enter at any time through the spring window, they are required to utilize the same Jan. 2 to 16 window as everyone else.
– Previously, players whose school experienced a coaching change were able to enter the transfer portal immediately over a 30-day period. Now, players must wait five days until a new coach is hired to trigger a 15-day window. That window is triggered only if a coaching change happens after Jan. 2.