By Tony Thomas
Last season was a forgettable season for the Auburn Tigers, with a record of 5-7. As a result, coach Hugh Freeze went out and plucked talented receivers from the transfer portal.
When paired with top returning starters at the position, this group and Freeze can help transfer quarterback and presumed starter Jackson Arnold have a breakout season in 2025.
Cam Coleman, WR
As the leading returning receiver for the Tigers, Cam Coleman tied for the team lead in touchdown catches in 2024 with eight.
Absolute DOT…Cam Coleman is ELITE!!! pic.twitter.com/unQqGQtnIB
— Sidelines – Auburn (@SSN_Auburn) April 6, 2024
Coleman caught 37 passes for 598 yards. In the final three games of last season, he gained 306 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns. At 6-foot-3, 197 pounds, Coleman presents a big target and is a mismatch for smaller opposing defenders.
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Malcolm Simmons, WR
As a freshman in 2024 and possessing the valuable trait of versatility, Malcolm Simmons scored as a receiver and a punt returner. Simmons scored three touchdowns on 40 receptions for 451 yards, and on special teams, Simmons returned a punt for a score.
Watch Hank Brown throw a touchdown pass to Malcolm Simmons for Auburn pic.twitter.com/mI8UEsY0iN
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) September 1, 2024
Eric Singleton Jr., WR (Transfer)
In two seasons with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Eric Singleton Jr. caught 102 passes for 1,468 yards and nine touchdowns. Last season, Singleton even scored a rushing TD. On kickoff returns, Singleton averaged 21 yards per return.
Eric Singleton Jr. is going to pair perfectly with Cam Coleman 💪
pic.twitter.com/8DA5U7lCzs— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) March 6, 2025
In eight games in 2024, Singleton caught 5 or more passes. When paired with Simmons, Singleton gives Freeze options.
Horatio Fields, WR (Transfer)
At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Wake Forest transfer Horatio Fields gives Arnold another big target to throw to and will cause mismatches as well. Fields was second on the Demon Deacons with 39 catches for 756 yards and two touchdowns.
Horatio Fields with the Wake Forest tuddy pic.twitter.com/swOczD4Oox
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) October 12, 2024
The Tigers averaged 13 points per game in their seven losses last season. Freeze has even more talent on the perimeter coming into 2025. Arnold’s 2024 season at Oklahoma was forgettable as well, throwing for just 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions.
He lost his starting job, but later took it back, just in time to pass for 631 yards and five touchdowns over a three-game stretch.
Freeze is a better play-caller than Brent Venables could ever be, and Freeze is a better developer of quarterbacks. This season will be pivotal for Freeze, as he has posted an 11-14 record on “The Plains” going into his third season.
Can Arnold and Auburn be successful in 2025? With these receivers and Freeze handling more of the play-calling duties, why not? And, with regard to success, Arnold is due.
