The first week of the Alex Golesh era at Auburn has brought the expected roster turnover, but one name has sent shockwaves through the fanbase. Perry Thompson, the sophomore wide receiver and former 5-star crown jewel of the 2024 class, officially entered the transfer portal on Monday.
A Significant Loss
Thompson's departure is a blow to an offense looking for playmakers. After flipping from Alabama to Auburn in a high-profile recruiting battle two years ago, Thompson experienced a quiet sophomore campaign (17 catches, 154 yards) amidst the team's offensive struggles. With Golesh bringing in his signature hyper-fast veer-and-shoot offense, it appears Thompson has decided to seek a fresh start elsewhere.
Other Notable Departures
Thompson isn't alone. As Golesh evaluates the roster he inherited from Hugh Freeze, several other Tigers have hit the portal:
- Antonio Coleman (DL): The former 4-star prospect leaves after just one season.
- Raion Strader (CB): A starter for much of the 2025 season, Strader leaves a void in the secondary.
- Caleb Wheatland (LB): Depth piece looking for more playing time.
Stability on Defense
While the roster churns, there is stability on the coaching front. Golesh officially announced the retention of defensive coordinator DJ Durkin. This was widely seen as a crucial move; despite the team's 5-7 record, Durkin's defense ranked in the Top 35 nationally and was the bright spot of the 2025 season.
In his official announcement, Golesh emphasized that retaining Durkin was a priority, citing his status as one of the top defensive minds in the conference. The retention provides much-needed continuity for a defense that performed well despite the team's overall struggles.