Spring practice is underway at Auburn, and it's time to preview another position group ahead of A-Day, which will take place on Saturday, April 12, at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The next position group that we will examine in our spring breakdown series is the wide receiver room, which is arguably the deepest unit on a suddenly loaded Auburn roster. Although the Tigers lost the production of 2024 leading-receiver KeAndre Lambert Smith (984 yards), the second and third most productive pass catchers from a season ago, Cam Coleman and Malcolm Simmons, are set to return in a much bigger role in 2025. The freshman duo combined for 11 touchdowns and just over 1,000 receiving yards a year ago, making the sensational sophomores breakout candidates this upcoming fall.
Coleman and Simmons will be joined by incumbent former five-star Perry Thompson along with transfers Eric Singleton Jr (Georgia Tech) and Haratio Fields (Wake Forest) to make up a very deep and talented pass catching core. Singleton Jr., who accumulated nearly 1,500 yards during his two seasons with the Yellow Jackets, is the most likely newcomer to make an impact right away.
Head coach Hugh Freeze wasn't shy about the ceiling he sees in his group of wide receivers. Speaking with the media, the third year head coach reporters, “It’s one of the more talented rooms I’ve ever been associated with. Somebody asked me the other day how I would rank that room versus DK Metcalf, AJ Brown, Van Jefferson, Evan Engram … I think it’s a bit early for me to put all of that [pressure] on them, but it rivals it. It’s close.
Here is a look at what the Auburn wide receiver room looks like as spring practice continues on the Plains.
No. 1 Eric Singleton Jr.
- 2024 Stats: 12 games played, 56 receptions, 754 yards, 4 total touchdowns(1 rushing)
- Career Stats:24 games played, 104 receptions, 1468 yards, 7 total touchdowns (1 rushing)
Eric Singleton Jr. comes to the Plains after a very successful two-year stint with Georgia Tech. A speed demon who can find success in the slot or on the outside, the junior should have no trouble filling the void left by KeAndre Lambert-Smith in the Auburn passing game. In two career games against Georgia, the Douglasville, GA native has caught 12 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown.
No. 3 Perry Thompson
- 2024 Stats: 4 games played, 5 receptions, 126 yards, 1 TD
Perry Thompson came to Auburn with high expectations in 2024. Although the true freshman did not have the impact many expected, he did show flashes of brilliance in limited snaps throughout the season. Standing at 6-foot-3, 222-pounds, Thompson is a major candidate to take a leap in his second season this fall.
No. 4 Malcolm Simmons
- 2024 Stats: 12 games played, 40 receptions, 451 yards, 4 total touchdowns (1 special teams)
Malcolm Simmons turned into the surprise star of Auburn's offense in 2024. While the Montgomery, AL native never dominated contests, his presence as both a gadget weapon and special teams star led to plenty of playing time as a true freshman. Now in his second year in Hugh Freeze's scheme, ...
