Coaching changes nearly guarantee high roster turnover, and Auburn's 2026 roster is no exception. It's almost an entirely new squad. Alex Golesh and the Tigers have added 36 transfers in an effort to rebuild the roster from the ground up. Nowhere is that more evident than at wide receiver.
To be frank, the returning production at receiver isn't nearly nonexistent – it is nonexistent.
The only receivers on the roster who recorded a catch for the Tigers last season are Bryce Cain and Duke Smith, who combined for just four receptions and three yards. To be fair to Bryce, Duke's one catch went for minus-five, so he's doing Bryce a disservice here on Bryce's true total of eight yards. Sam Turner, who's probably the most talented of the three, didn't record a catch, but he's back for the Tigers as well.
The lack of returning production (and quality) puts a pressing weight on Auburn’s incoming transfers, particularly the group brought over from South Florida. But, this isn't exactly a blind rebuild. Alex Golesh is following a blueprint recently solidified by Curt Cignetti in the transition from James Madison to Indiana: bring the system with you.
College football has effectively become a free market, and with it has come a level of parity the sport hasn't seen before. Overall roster talent still matters, but teams that are less talented on paper are beginning to find success. Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers have proven that continuity, time-on-task, and system football can be more significant predictors of success than ever before.
Auburn will attempt to tap into that same advantage in 2026 via the array of South Florida transfers, beginning with its rebuilt wide receiver room.
The Group
Keshaun Singleton: WR-X
South Florida transfer
Measurables: 6'3" | 215
Archetype: Possession / Boundary X
2025 Production: 50 receptions, 877 yards, 8 TDs
Singleton projects as Auburn’s X and, by default, the focal point of the receiver room. He's the guy. He's going to lineup to the boundary, get the 1 on 1s, and demand the other teams' best corner. At 6’3”, 215 pounds, he brings a prototypical frame with strong leverage and a wide catch radius, allowing him to consistently win contested throws even when separation is limited.
Truth be told, Singleton isn’t flashy. He lacks suddenness, doesn’t create much vertical stress, and doesn't separate all that great. But, he's a ball player. What he lacks in physical tools, he make up for with good anticipation, reliable hands, and the ability to play through contact. He stays on his feet through the catch to maximize YAC and consistently finishes plays in traffic. Although Singleton doesn't possess Cam Coleman's wow traits, he will be a consistent, productive player for the Tigers.
Jeremiah Koger: WR-X
South Florida transfer
Measurables: 6'3" | 209
Archetype: Possession / Boundary X
2025 Production: 38 receptions, 597 yards, 8 TDs
Koger's true freshman campaign at South Florida was extremely impressive. He tied Keshaun Singleton for the team lead in receiving touchdowns and finished second in receiving yards. Although Koger and Singleton have a similar build, Koger brings a bit more athleticism to the position, with better twitch and a greater ability to create separation than Singleton.
Although his size and skill set project naturally to the X, Koger isn’t locked into a single role. Alex Golesh has shown a willingness to put his best matchup winners on the field regardless of frame, and there were stretches at South Florida where Koger and Singleton played together. That versatility gives Koger a higher ceiling in Auburn’s offense — not just at the X, but as a receiver who can be moved to find favorable matchups.
Chas Nimrod: WR-Z
South Florida transfer
Measurables: 6'2" | 198
Archetype: Vertical Threat
2025 Production: 23 receptions, 466 yards, 3 TDs
An injury kept Nimrod out of five games last year, but he had an extremely productive year nevertheless. He racked up 466 receiving yards in just seven games, averaging over 20 yards per catch. While he initially profiles as a pure speed receiver, the tape shows a bit more. Nimrod flashes some twitch and suddenness that provide him with a more diverse route tree, demonstrating he can win matchups when lined up both outside and in the slot.
Nimrod does have limitations in terms of physicality, especially on contested catches and against press coverage. However, Alex Golesh is adept at accentuating strengths while protecting deficiencies, frequently moving Nimrod across formations and manufacturing free releases. That usage allows his speed to play both horizontally and vertically, making him a much-needed component of Auburn’s vertical passing game in 2026.
Christian Neptune: WR-H
South Florida transfer
Measurables: 5'11" | 189
Archetype: Slot Body
2025 Production: 38 receptions, 335 yards, 1 TD
Christian Neptune can play. His 38 catches for 335 yards in as a true freshman out of the slot is more impressive than the numbers suggest. He shows good quickness and feel inside. He can drop his hips, create separation, and find space against zone coverage. While he doesn’t possess exceptional long speed, his twitch and change-of-direction with a classic slot body-type make him a legitimate threat underneath.
Alex Golesh and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon clearly value Neptune’s playmaking ability, finding multiple ways to get him the football last year. They used him on now screens, tunnels, split zone bluff actions, and other backfield design manipulations that allowed him to operate in space and generate yards after the catch. Neptune is a necessary piece and route-winner for Byrum Brown in the short-to-intermediate passing game.
Rounding Out the Room
Sam Turner - 6'1 / 207
Turner flashed in fall camp last year as a true freshman, but veteran players in the wide receiver room inhibited his ability to make an impact. Turner returning to Auburn is big for Golesh long-term as he looks to develop a playmaker. He'll see time this year behind Nimrod at the Z.
Bryce Cain - 5'10 / 165
Opportunities for Bryce will be there behind transfer Christian Neptune.
Duke Smith - 6'0 / 205
Could battle for 3rd string reps at the H or Z
Brian Williams - 6'4 / 190
Freshman signee
Brady Marchese
Freshman signee
DeShawn Spencer
Freshman signee
Kory Pettigrew - 6'1 / 180
Transfer from South Florida (saw limited action)
Antavious Richardson - 6'2 / 170
Transfer from Notre Dame
Closing Thoughts
This group may lack SEC experience, but its continuity and familiarity with Alex Golesh and quarterback Byrum Brown are extremely valuable. On paper, the talent doesn't match what Auburn had last season, but these receivers have time-on-task, and in a quarterback-friendly, up-tempo offense that's designed to create space with its alignment and run-game, I think there's a good chance Auburn fans will be pleasantly surprised with the receivers' performance.
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