Auburn turned up the heat in the transfer portal Tuesday, continuing its aggressive push to completely reshape the offensive line ahead of the 2026 season. After losing close to a dozen players from last year’s unit, the Tigers have gone all-in on adding size, experience, and depth to rebuild the foundation of the offense.
Head coach Tyler Hudanick and his staff have made the trenches a top priority this offseason, knowing the grind of the SEC demands a physical and reliable front. Protecting the quarterback and establishing a consistent run game have been at the center of Auburn’s plan as the program looks to take a big step forward in 2026.
One of the latest additions is Kenneth McManus IV, a 6-foot-2, 320-pound interior lineman transferring in from Akron. McManus started six games as a true freshman last season and logged more than 500 snaps, allowing just one sack and 14 pressures across 271 pass-blocking opportunities. His mix of size, youth, and production made him a top target for Auburn’s staff.
McManus now joins a growing wave of transfer linemen from across the country, including Stanton Ramil (Michigan State), Joseph Simmons (James Madison), Jacob Strand (Oregon State), TJ Hedrick (Ole Miss), Cole Best and Cole Skinner (USF), and Jack Leyrer (Stanford). The goal is to create real competition at every spot up front and build the kind of depth needed to survive the long, physical SEC schedule.
Even with the transfer window officially closed, Auburn continued to take advantage of players who entered the portal before the deadline. The approach shows a clear focus on bringing in experienced talent that can make an immediate impact rather than waiting solely on long-term development.
With spring practice around the corner, all eyes will be on how quickly the new-look offensive line comes together. Position battles are expected to be intense, and how this group gels could play a major role in shaping Auburn’s momentum and expectations for the 2026 season.