Smith's decision to step away from the program creates even more questions for Auburn's receiver room in terms of depth. Auburn now has nine scholarship wide receivers following the departures of Duke and Erick Smith, andthe move of Bryce Cain to defensive back. Auburn is also awaiting clearance for newly acquired wide receiver Tray Taylor,who signed with Auburn last week.
Despite the hit to the depth chart, Auburn head coach Alex Golesh is confident in his current rotation of wide receivers.
"Numbers-wise, there are six that we feel good about, with a potential seventh," Golesh said of the wide receivers this week.
Who could be the seventh guy? Golesh feels confident in sophomoreSam Turnertaking a step forward in 2026.
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"Sam Turner coming on, as camp went, I think gives us a lot of flexibility there. He's healthy, he's just learning and gaining confidence," Golesh said. "He's kind of that wild card in the sense of he missed spring, missed a large chunk of summer, is just learning and figuring out what it is to play snap to snap. But he's smart, he's mature, he's got really good hands. It's just getting back into it. He's missed almost a full year of football."
Auburn football will continue to build the pecking order at wide receiver over the next week as they prepare for game week practice. The Tigers open the season on Saturday, Sept. 4 against the Baylor Bears at the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta, Georgia.
Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) hands the ball off to running back Jeremiah Cobb (23) during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Auburn Tigers players warm up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) warms up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Auburn Tigers head coach Alex Golesh during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Auburn Tigers wide receiver Brian Williams Jr. (15) catches a pass during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) and Auburn Tigers linebacker Demarcus Riddick (6) get pumped up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Auburn Tigers players break huddle during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Auburn Tigers tight ends coach Larry Scott during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Auburn Tigers head coach Alex Golesh during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Auburn Tigers wide receiver DeShawn Spencer (9) catches a pass during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Tavian Branch (91) warms up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Auburn Tigers running backs warm up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos: Auburn football hits the practice field on Tuesday
Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos: Auburn football hits the practice field on Tuesday
Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Auburn opens against Baylor at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta—shop tickets
Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) hands the ball off to running back Jeremiah Cobb (23) during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos: Auburn football hits the practice field on Tuesday
Auburn Tigers players warm up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
4/13
Auburn's Byrum Brown joins several SEC QBs on preseason watchlist
Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) warms up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos: Auburn football hits the practice field on Tuesday
Auburn Tigers head coach Alex Golesh during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos: Auburn football hits the practice field on Tuesday
Auburn Tigers wide receiver Brian Williams Jr. (15) catches a pass during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos: Auburn football hits the practice field on Tuesday
Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) and Auburn Tigers linebacker Demarcus Riddick (6) get pumped up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos: Auburn football hits the practice field on Tuesday
Auburn Tigers players break huddle during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
9/13
Photos: Auburn football hits the practice field on Tuesday
Auburn Tigers tight ends coach Larry Scott during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos: Auburn football hits the practice field on Tuesday
Auburn Tigers head coach Alex Golesh during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos: Auburn football hits the practice field on Tuesday
Auburn Tigers wide receiver DeShawn Spencer (9) catches a pass during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos: Auburn football hits the practice field on Tuesday
Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Tavian Branch (91) warms up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos: Auburn football hits the practice field on Tuesday
Auburn Tigers running backs warm up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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