Auburn’s offensive line rebuild starts with 2027 class

Auburn has five offensive linemen committed in its 2027 recruiting class after adding Jatori Williams from Central High School in Phenix City. Williams and four-star tackle Layton Van Brandt are top 100 prospects in Alex Golesh’s class built around improving the Tigers up front.

The group remains unfinished business with Early Signing Day a little under a month away. If the class holds, those five commitments would follow the four offensive linemen Auburn signed a year earlier, when Golesh and his staff had under a week to finish the group after arriving on the Plains.

Auburn’s approach reflects its immediate line problems. The Tigers entered the season after losing all five starting offensive linemen and returning just three players at the position. Auburn then allowed seven sacks in a 44-39 loss to Florida. After the game, Golesh acknowledged that the staff had not settled on its five best linemen.

Auburn also has shifted toward players who can return next season. The Week 1 lineup featured Jo Simmons, Jacob Strand, Cole Best, Cole Skinner and Stanton Ramil, with four of those five set to exhaust their eligibility after this season. Against Ole Miss, the Tigers started Ramil, Kenneth McManus IV, Best, Jacobe’ Ward and Wilson Zierer. Four members of that lineup can return next season, and three are underclassmen.

That does not mean Auburn should expect immediate production from every 2027 commitment. Offensive line development often requires time, and true freshmen rarely play significant snaps in the SEC. The 2010 Auburn line had four senior starters. Each had started the previous season, with two in their third season as starters.

Golesh’s plan to build a run-heavy offense needs better line play, but recruiting provides the clearest route toward lasting improvement. Auburn’s 2026 signees and current 2027 commitments can develop together, reducing the need for another sweeping portal rebuild.

Why it matters

Auburn lost all five starting offensive linemen before this season and allowed seven sacks in the loss to Florida. Stacking the 2026 signees with five current 2027 commitments gives Golesh a young base for his run-heavy offense.

What to watch next

Early Signing Day is a little under a month away, when Auburn will try to keep its five-player offensive line class together.