Auburn football is standing at a familiar crossroads, but this time the hope feels different. After several uneven seasons in the SEC, the Tigers are turning the page and betting on fresh energy, fresh ideas, and a coach who has quickly built a reputation as a program builder. With Alex Golesh officially taking over in Auburn, optimism is beginning to ripple through the Plains as fans look for signs that the Tigers can once again matter on the national stage.
Golesh arrives after a successful stint at South Florida, where he helped inject life into a program that needed direction. Now, he faces a much tougher challenge in the SEC, where weekly competition is unforgiving and talent depth often decides seasons. Auburn’s recent struggles have kept the program on the outside looking in when it comes to conference contention and College Football Playoff discussions. The expectation around Golesh is clear: stabilize the program, recruit at a higher level, and restore Auburn’s identity as a team nobody wants to face.
Recruiting will ultimately determine how quickly that turnaround happens, and the Tigers know they cannot afford to fall behind, especially in their own backyard. One of the most intriguing early recruiting storylines involves quarterback Jamison Roberts, one of the top signal callers in the class of 2027. Roberts has narrowed his list to eight schools, and Auburn has managed to stay firmly in the mix. The Tigers are competing with Oklahoma, Duke, Ole Miss, Northwestern, Iowa, Arkansas and Kentucky for his commitment, a group that underscores how highly regarded Roberts already is at this early stage.
According to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Roberts is currently rated as a three star recruit and the No. 370 overall player in the 2027 class. He is also listed as the No. 14 player in his position group and the No. 25 quarterback nationally. While those numbers could change as he continues to develop, the interest from major programs suggests evaluators see significant upside in his game.
For Auburn, landing a quarterback like Roberts would be about more than just one commitment. It would signal momentum under Golesh and provide a foundational piece for future recruiting classes. Right now, the Tigers have plenty of ground to make up. Auburn’s 2027 class sits at No. 53 nationally, with just one commitment on the board from three star tight end Trae Proctor. That ranking is far from where Auburn wants to be, particularly in a league where elite recruiting is the norm rather than the exception.
The road back to relevance will not be easy, and there are no quick fixes in the SEC. Still, securing top in state and regional talent is a necessary first step. If Golesh can convince players like Jamison Roberts that Auburn is the right place to grow and win, the Tigers may finally begin to close the gap and lay the groundwork for a return to contention.