There’s a sense of rising optimism at Auburn heading into Hugh Freeze’s third season at the helm. After back-to-back losing campaigns, the Tigers are poised for a turnaround in 2025, thanks in part to a revamped quarterback room and consecutive top-10 recruiting classes.
A position group drawing serious attention is the wide receiver corps. Even with KeAndre Lambert-Smith heading to the NFL, Auburn boasts a strong returning unit. The “Freeze Four” — Malcolm Simmons, Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, and Bryce Cain — are back, and several new additions arrived via the transfer portal.
Earlier this week, Pro Football Focus (PFF) released its annual Top 10 Returning Players by Position, and two Auburn wideouts made the list.
The first is Eric Singleton Jr., a transfer from Georgia Tech. After spending two seasons with the Yellow Jackets, he’s already generating buzz on the Plains following a standout spring.
“His 1,468 receiving yards over the past two years are the second most among returning Power Four receivers,” said PFF’s Max Chadwick. “He also ranks above the 99th percentile in PFF’s Game Athleticism Score, highlighting his elite speed. His 664 receiving yards on deep passes since 2023 lead all returning Power Four wideouts.”
The second is Cam Coleman, who made a major impact as a true freshman after arriving as one of the top-rated wide receiver recruits in the 2024 class.
“Over the final three weeks of the 2024 regular season, Coleman led the nation with six receiving touchdowns and ranked sixth in receiving yards (306),” Chadwick noted. “He did so despite inconsistent quarterback play — a situation that should improve with Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold taking over in 2025.”
“At 6-foot-3, 197 pounds, Coleman combines elite athleticism with a large catch radius, and he nearly maxed out PFF’s Game Athleticism Score. A sophomore breakout is very likely.”
Auburn kicks off its 2025 season on August 29 against the Baylor Bears.