In a rapidly evolving era of college athletics dominated by the transfer portal, few programs have maneuvered as effectively as Auburn. According to the latest rankings from On3 and @on3recruits, both Auburn football and men’s basketball have secured top-10 transfer portal classes heading into the 2025 season. The Tigers, under head coaches Hugh Freeze and Bruce Pearl respectively, are capitalizing on portal momentum to build immediate competitiveness while maintaining long-term development.
This double-barreled success is not just a statistical footnote—it’s a testament to a university that has embraced the new age of NIL, player movement, and aggressive recruiting strategy. With each addition, Auburn is signaling to the SEC and the nation that it intends to compete at the highest levels in both sports—now, and into the future.
Hugh Freeze Reloads for Year Two
After a mixed 2024 season that saw flashes of offensive creativity and painful growing pains, Hugh Freeze entered the offseason with one goal: upgrade the roster fast. The Tigers needed help at key positions—quarterback, offensive line, and defensive secondary—and Freeze wasted no time using the portal as a fix-it tool.
As of May 2025, Auburn football ranks in the top 10 nationally in On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings, boasting high-end talent and plug-and-play options. Here’s a look at some of the biggest pickups.
Key Transfer Additions – Auburn Football
1. Grayson James – QB (FIU Transfer)
The Tigers landed a gritty and experienced quarterback in Grayson James. With over 6,000 collegiate passing yards under his belt, James brings leadership and consistency to a room that struggled with identity last year. While freshman phenom Walker White remains the future, James offers Freeze a capable starter or elite backup in 2025.
2. Cam Jackson – DL (Florida Transfer)
Auburn badly needed a disruptive interior presence. Jackson, a former Gator who flashed SEC-caliber explosiveness, comes to the Plains to help fortify the defensive front. His ability to collapse pockets and defend the run will be invaluable in games against Alabama, Georgia, and LSU.
3. Demarcus Riddick – LB (Alabama Transfer)
Yes, that Demarcus Riddick—the former 5-star Georgia commit who landed at Alabama—has switched to the other side of the Iron Bowl. Auburn’s linebacker corps was thin last season, and Riddick offers immediate upside. This portal win was both strategic and symbolic.
4. Malik Benson – WR (Alabama Transfer)
Auburn’s passing game needed a true vertical threat, and Benson fits the bill. Once a JUCO star and elite prospect, Benson brings speed, experience, and a chip on his shoulder. He could be WR1 by fall camp.
5. TJ Sheffield – WR (Purdue Transfer)
Sheffield is another steady veteran who complements Benson well. His route running and toughness across the middle will give Auburn’s quarterbacks a reliable target in pressure situations.
6. Aundre Hyatt – DB (LSU Transfer)
In a league defined by explosive passing attacks, Auburn beefed up its secondary with Hyatt. He has SEC experience and can play multiple positions, making him a key asset against opponents like Ole Miss and Texas A&M.
Auburn’s Portal Strategy
What makes Auburn’s portal haul unique is its blended approach. Freeze and his staff didn’t just chase the biggest names; they evaluated cultural fit, positional need, and developmental ceiling. The Tigers are building a roster with balance—portal veterans to stabilize, young stars to rise.
Another key factor? Auburn has adapted quickly to the NIL landscape. The Tigers’ infrastructure—including the “On To Victory” collective—has helped the program stay competitive in an arms race that increasingly revolves around financial transparency and opportunity.
Bruce Pearl Reloads for a Title Run
If Hugh Freeze has Auburn football trending up, Bruce Pearl has Auburn basketball surging toward elite status. Pearl is already one of the most respected coaches in the SEC, known for his charisma, player development, and energetic style of play. With several key departures—most notably Johni Broome to the NBA—Pearl needed reinforcements to keep the Tigers in championship contention.
He got them.
According to On3, Auburn men’s basketball also boasts a top-10 transfer portal class, and it’s not just about replacing lost production—it’s about elevating the program’s ceiling.
Key Transfer Additions – Auburn Basketball
1. JP Pegues – G (Furman Transfer)
Pegues is the headliner. A skilled combo guard who averaged 18.4 points per game last season, he brings playmaking, shot creation, and toughness. With Tre Donaldson exploring NBA waters and Aden Holloway maturing, Pegues adds a crucial layer of experience to the backcourt.
2. Ven-Allen Lubin – F (Vanderbilt/Notre Dame Transfer)
Lubin is a physical forward who’s played in both the ACC and SEC. At 6-foot-8, he rebounds at a high rate and defends well in space. Pearl covets his versatility—Lubin can play as a stretch-four or small-ball five.
3. Babatunde Akingbola – C (Georgia Transfer)
“Stretch” is back. After a previous stint at Auburn, Akingbola returns home. He provides elite rim protection, vocal leadership, and familiarity with Pearl’s system. He may not be a double-double machine, but his defense could prove vital in SEC play.
4. Tucker DeVries – F (Drake Transfer)
A high-IQ wing with deep range, DeVries brings offensive versatility. He shot 38% from three last year and fits well in Pearl’s up-tempo, space-oriented system. His ability to create mismatches on the wing makes him a potential breakout star.
5. Chaney Johnson – F (Returning Star)
Though not a portal addition, Johnson’s return for another year is as good as one. The 6’7″ wing showed flashes last season and is expected to take on a more prominent role. His growth trajectory is one of the biggest storylines entering 2025.
Auburn Basketball Outlook
With these additions, Auburn looks poised to once again challenge for the SEC title. Pearl has built a program where defense, effort, and depth are non-negotiable, and this transfer class reflects that ethos. Players like Pegues and Lubin have played big minutes in hostile environments and can stabilize the team in March.
Perhaps most impressive is how Pearl continues to master the portal without compromising team chemistry. Auburn has become a destination for high-character players who want to compete, grow, and win.
NIL, Culture, and Fan Support: The Auburn Advantage
The Tigers’ rise in the portal era hasn’t been by accident. It’s the product of institutional alignment—boosters, fans, and administration all rowing in the same direction. Auburn’s NIL presence is increasingly competitive, and the athletic department has embraced the fact that retention and acquisition are both now part of a winning formula.
Both Freeze and Pearl emphasize culture in recruiting. They look for players who love football and basketball, not just the spotlight. That strategy is paying off, with both locker rooms reportedly in high spirits heading into summer workouts.
Auburn’s passionate fan base also plays a key role. From packed Jordan-Hare Stadiums to sold-out Neville Arenas, the energy around both programs is tangible. Recruits and transfers alike see Auburn not just as a stopgap, but as a platform.
Auburn vs. the SEC: The Road Ahead
Auburn’s twin top-10 portal classes are more than resume builders—they’re essential weapons in the SEC’s unforgiving gauntlet.
In football, Hugh Freeze must face a 2025 schedule that includes Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma. Without talent, it’s impossible to survive. But now, Auburn has the horses.
In basketball, Bruce Pearl will square off with John Calipari at Arkansas, Nate Oats at Alabama, and Dennis Gates at Missouri—all of whom are also thriving in the portal. But Pearl’s recruiting track record and in-game adaptability keep Auburn in the upper echelon.