Auburn’s WR Room Looks Talented — But Hugh Freeze Still Wants More from the Portal
From the outside, Auburn’s wide receiver corps looks like it’s primed for a breakout season in 2025. The Tigers have stacked up talent through both recruiting and the transfer portal, bringing in dynamic playmakers and promising young prospects. But head coach Hugh Freeze isn’t content just yet.
The Tigers already made notable additions, landing transfer wideouts Eric Singleton Jr. and Horatio Fields. They’ve also secured a trio of freshmen — Derick Smith, Erick Smith, and Sam Turner — to bolster the position long-term. Returning stars like Cam Coleman, Malcolm Simmons, and Perry Thompson round out what many would consider a deep and explosive receiver unit.
But Freeze sees it differently.
“We’re really not as deep as we’d like to be,” Freeze admitted. “We’re talented, sure. But we just need more legs in that room, maybe to save some wear and tear on those guys.”
The concern isn’t about top-end talent — Auburn has plenty of that — it’s about longevity and rotation. The Smith brothers won’t join the team until the summer, leaving a bit of a gap in the spring depth chart. And that has Freeze eyeing the spring transfer portal window for possible reinforcements. According to the head coach, Auburn still has two available scholarship spots on offense, and one could be used to bring in another wide receiver.
Still, there’s been plenty to like about the current group’s performance during spring practice. Transfer additions Singleton and Fields have shown early flashes, but it’s freshman Sam Turner who’s turned the most heads. Despite being rated just a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Turner has emerged as a standout this spring, showcasing sharp route running and big-play ability — including a highlight-reel sideline grab during a recent practice.
“He’s going to be dynamic,” Freeze said. “He’s added great depth on the outside. He’s giving Cam, Perry, and Horatio some much-needed breathers. For a freshman, he’s incredibly sharp.”
Auburn may already have the makings of a top-tier receiving corps, but with Freeze still shopping for another playmaker, it’s clear the Tigers are aiming for more than just “good enough.” With the spring portal window still open, don’t be surprised if another wideout joins the fold — because Auburn is gearing up for something big.