Auburn DL Antonio Coleman plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Auburn defensive lineman and true freshman Antonio Coleman plans to enter the NCAA Transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Coleman signed with Auburn in 2025 following a back-and-forth affair with Alabama. He initially pledged to Alabama, then flipped to Auburn, flipped back to Alabama before flipping a final time and signing with the Tigers.

WHAT IT MEANS

Coleman did not have the immediate impact factor that several other defensive freshmen had for Auburn this season. He spent most of the year running on the scout team, and at 6-foot-1 and 256 pounds, went from defensive tackle to taking reps at defensive end.

Without any snaps logged this season and several other underclassmen solidifying themselves on the two-deep, this is not a significant loss for Auburn.

Departure impact: Minimal

GOLESH ON TRANSFER PORTAL, ROSTER RETENTION

Auburn head coach Alex Golesh, who arrived on campus Nov. 30, spoke in his introductory press conference Dec. 1 on the transfer portal and roster retention.

“I think the one thing that doesn’t change is this: You have to be able to identify the immediate roster and figure out really, really quickly who fits,” Golesh said. “And by fits, I don’t mean offensively, defensively or special teams, but truly, who wants to be there. Who’s at least got a chance to buy into what you’re doing, understanding that when you come into a situation where the success wasn’t flowing, change has to be made.”

He also touched on the resources available to Auburn in order to recruit and retain talent.

“The investment that has been made from the administration to go and attack every single part of the recruiting is phenomenal,” said Golesh. “Nothing short of phenomenal. We’ve got every resource known to man right here to be able to go attract, recruit, retain and develop the best talent there is in the entire country.”