Auburn WR Malcolm Simmons plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Auburn wide receiver Malcolm Simmons plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2, Hayes Fawcett of On3 reports.

From Alexander City, Ala., Simmons arrived in Auburn in 2024 as part of the Tigers’ top-10 recruiting class. He made an immediate impact as a freshman, both as a punt returner and wide receiver. He recorded 40 receptions for 451 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman.

This season, as a sophomore, Simmons tallied 25 catches for 457 yards and three touchdowns, including two consecutive 100-yard games to close out the season. He went for a career-high 149 yards receiving on five receptions with a touchdown against Mercer. One week later, in the Iron Bowl, Simmons led Auburn yet again in receiving yardage with 143 yards on three receptions and a touchdown.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR AUBURN

Simmons is the third wide receiver planning to depart Auburn. Fellow 2024 signee Perry Thompson and Wake Forest transfer Horatio Fields both declared their intentions to transfer earlier this month. That’s now three of the Tigers’ top five receivers planning to exit the program.

Early in the season, Simmons didn’t get the targets or usage in the offense that allowed him to thrive like he did in the final three games. Through Auburn’s first nine games, Simmons had 119 yards receiving on 15 receptions. In the final three games without Hugh Freeze, Simmons tallied 338 yards receiving on 10 receptions.

Losses like this are to be expected, but the door goes both ways. Expect some receivers, perhaps some of South Florida’s top receivers, to be drawn to Alex Golesh and his offense.

Departure impact: Major

GOLESH ON TRANFER 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.”