Auburn tight ends enter the portal

January 2, 2026 – AUBURN – The transfer portal is open and Auburn has no tight ends.

Parallelling the exodus that Auburn has had at wide receiver, the tight ends at Auburn will be elsewhere in 2026.

Auburn's starting tight end did enter the transfer portal.

Based on the latest reporting, Junior Preston Howard, who was Auburn's primary tight end contributor in 2025, entered the transfer portal as soon as it opened. He previously had transferred in from Maryland. Although he played significant snaps this past season, he finished the season with 10 catches for just 84 yards. Throughout the season, he frustrated Auburn fans with key drops in key moments in a number of games. A great tight end is the best friend of a quarterback who is struggling because he usually is covered by a linebacker or an undersized safety. If that defender misses the tackle, it can be very difficult for the smaller DBs to bring down a powerful tight end. At 6'5" 236 pounds Howard was that big prototypical tight end that could have made a huge impact in the passing game for Hugh Freeze's offense; but alas the drops meant that those plays seldom developed and Auburn's quarterbacks could not rely on Howard outside of blitz pickup and run blocking. Howard played in all 12 games for Auburn in 2025 and started in seven.

After Howard's departure, Auburn does not have a lot of options left at the tight end position.

Senior TE Brandon Frazier is out of eligibility

Senior TE Tate Johnson is also out of eligibility

Freshman TE Hollis Davidson III is reportedly also planning to enter the portal. Davidson, a Peachtree, Georgia product, did not see any game action in his first season with the Tigers.

For new Auburn head Coach Alex Golesh it is looking like the 2026 Tigers offense is going to be virtually all new.

Four of the five starting offensive linemen are seniors who are out of eligibility. The fifth is transferring. Star Wide Receiver Cam Coleman – after fumbling in the Iron Bowl – is transferring along with most of the wide receivers. All three Auburn quarterbacks are also in the transfer portal including five-star freshman Deuce Knight.

The one position on the offense where Auburn has returning depth is running back. As of press time, Damari Alston - Junior, Jeremiah Cobb - Sophomore, and J'Marion Burnette - Freshman are all expected to stay on the Plains.

To comment or ask a question email brandonmreporter@gmail.com