Auburn offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin plans to enter the transfer portal next month, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
Chaplin, a 6-foot-7 redshirt junior, started all 12 games at left tackle for Auburn last season and has one season of eligibility remaining. Originally from South Carolina, he began his college career at Virginia Tech, where he spent three seasons and earned All-ACC honorable mention and third-team All-American honors. He redshirted in 2022 before becoming a regular starter in 2023 and 2024.
Chaplin joined Auburn before the 2025 season and immediately won the starting left tackle spot. However, like much of the Tigers’ offense, his season was inconsistent. He earned pass-blocking grades above 70 in five games but fell below 60 in four, and he struggled with false starts, finishing as Auburn’s most penalized offensive lineman with 12 penalties.
Auburn’s new head coach, Alex Golesh, faces the task of rebuilding the offensive line. The team has already lost Dillon Wade, Jeremiah Wright, and Mason Murphy to graduation, while DeAndre Carter, Favour Edwin, and Seth Wilfred have all entered the transfer portal. Auburn is still waiting on a decision from Connor Lew, who could either return or declare for the 2026 NFL Draft