Auburn Football Boasts Strong Preseason All-SEC Presence as Tigers Aim to Make Noise in SEC Championship Race This Fall
The Auburn Tigers enter the 2025 college football season looking for a resurgence under head coach Hugh Freeze, and based on the preseason All-SEC selections, it appears they have the talent to do it. With a handful of key players earning spots on the prestigious preseason list, Auburn’s roster is receiving validation from coaches and media alike. These individual honors not only reflect the potential of the players but also suggest that Auburn could be a serious contender in the toughest conference in college football.
Several Tigers were named to the preseason All-SEC teams, including standouts on both sides of the ball. These accolades come with heightened expectations, but they also shine a spotlight on a program attempting to re-establish itself as a national force. Freeze and his staff have been aggressive on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal, but the foundation of this team’s identity lies with the core group of returning stars who have earned the confidence of voters across the conference.
Headlining Auburn’s preseason selections is cornerback D.J. James, who was named to the All-SEC First-Team defense. James, a senior and one of the SEC’s top cover corners, has the potential to be a first-round NFL Draft pick with another strong campaign. His instincts, footwork, and ball skills make him a true lockdown presence in the secondary. Last season, James totaled 34 tackles, nine pass breakups, and two interceptions. He’s expected to anchor an Auburn defense that could be one of the most improved units in the SEC in 2025.
Joining James on the All-SEC list is defensive lineman Marcus Harris, who was named to the Second-Team defense. Harris has long been one of Auburn’s most consistent interior disruptors. In 2024, he recorded 41 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks, showcasing his ability to penetrate offensive lines and create chaos in the backfield. His return gives Auburn veteran leadership in the trenches and a high floor against both the run and the pass.
Another defensive standout, linebacker Eugene Asante, earned Third-Team All-SEC honors. Asante broke out last season with a team-leading 97 tackles, including 10.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. His sideline-to-sideline range, football IQ, and ability to diagnose plays make him the heart of Auburn’s defense. Asante plays with relentless energy and passion, and his presence in the middle gives the Tigers a dynamic weapon against both spread and power offenses.
While Auburn’s defense is drawing much of the early praise, the offense also landed representation. Running back Jarquez Hunter was named to the All-SEC Second-Team offense. Hunter, a senior, has patiently waited his turn behind former Tigers stars and now enters 2025 as the unquestioned lead back. In 2024, he rushed for 1,087 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. His combination of balance, burst, and vision makes him a perfect fit for Freeze’s offensive system, and he’ll be leaned on heavily as Auburn looks to control the tempo in SEC play.
Wide receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson was recognized on the Third-Team offense after a 2024 season in which he posted 812 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 56 catches. Johnson’s route-running precision, top-end speed, and chemistry with returning quarterback Payton Thorne make him a dangerous weapon. His ability to stretch defenses vertically and find soft spots in zone coverage is vital to keeping Auburn’s offense explosive and balanced.
Special teams also saw Auburn gain recognition, with kicker Alex McPherson landing on the All-SEC Second-Team. McPherson, one of the SEC’s most reliable kickers, converted 19 of 22 field goals last year, including a long of 55 yards. His consistency and leg strength offer a critical edge in close games, and he provides a calming presence in late-game situations.
This group of preseason All-SEC selections offers a microcosm of Auburn’s overall roster construction heading into the fall. The Tigers are not top-heavy—they’re balanced, experienced, and deep in key positions. Freeze has emphasized development and accountability, and these preseason honors suggest that those principles are being met with player growth.
D.J. James, the defensive cornerstone, is likely to draw NFL scouts to nearly every Auburn game. If he can shut down opposing top receivers as he did last season, Auburn will be in a strong position to challenge elite passing attacks. Marcus Harris and Eugene Asante, meanwhile, give the Tigers strength at the point of attack and speed at the second level. Together, the trio forms the spine of a defense that is being overlooked nationally but could become one of the conference’s best.
Offensively, the success of Hunter and Johnson will hinge on the continued development of the offensive line and the improvement of quarterback play. Payton Thorne, now in his second year in Freeze’s system, must elevate his game to distribute the ball effectively and avoid turnovers. If Thorne can take that next step, the presence of Hunter in the backfield and Johnson as a downfield threat creates a formidable core.
Hunter’s physical running style not only wears down defenses but also sets up play-action opportunities for big gains. And with Johnson commanding attention deep, Auburn’s tight ends and slot receivers should find favorable matchups underneath. McPherson’s reliability on special teams adds another layer of confidence when the game is on the line.
Auburn’s schedule in 2025 won’t make things easy. With road trips to Georgia and Alabama and a home showdown against Texas, the Tigers will face multiple top-10 opponents. But the presence of All-SEC caliber talent provides a clear signal: this team has the personnel to compete, even in the face of brutal opposition.
This fall may represent the most pivotal season in Hugh Freeze’s Auburn tenure to date. A strong showing in 2025 could propel the Tigers back into the national conversation and lay the foundation for future recruiting success. These preseason All-SEC honorees will be asked to lead, both on and off the field, as Auburn attempts to navigate the gauntlet that is the SEC.
There’s a sense of urgency around the program. Auburn fans are among the most passionate in the country, and after several years of uneven play, they’re eager for consistency and excellence. These preseason honors give them reason to believe that better days may be just around the corner. It’s no longer about rebuilding—it’s about contending.
If D.J. James plays like the shutdown corner he’s projected to be, if Marcus Harris and Eugene Asante control the defensive front, if Jarquez Hunter stays healthy and productive, and if Alex McPherson continues his excellence on special teams, Auburn will not be an easy out for any opponent. And if Ja’Varrius Johnson continues to stretch the field, the Tigers could find themselves winning high-scoring shootouts as well.
Ultimately, preseason honors are not the end goal. But they are recognition of potential. Auburn has multiple players who’ve shown they belong among the SEC’s elite. Now the question is whether they—and the team—can convert that potential into victories.
The journey begins in September, but the foundation is being set now. Auburn football has stars at the forefront. If those stars shine as expected, 2025 could mark the beginning of a new era for the Tigers—one defined not by rebuilding, but by relevance, resilience, and results.
