The first day of preseason camp is underway for the Auburn Tigers and Coach Alex Golesh beginning the official month-long countdown to the season opener against the Baylor Bears in Atlanta.
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About 90 minutes after the conclusion of the media viewing window at practice, the Auburn Undercover staff took part in player availabilities, where five players took a few moments to speak with the media after the morning session ended.
Sophomore safety Eric Winters was one of the players in an experienced secondary who got to speak on some topics. With football being the full focus during this preseason camp period, Winters said he is simply excited for this time to have arrived.
“I’m fortunate enough to be back out here for Auburn right now,” Winters said. “I can’t wait to keep coming out here and competing with the guys.”
The safety is part of a group that returns a litany of experience, including guys like AnQuon Fegans, Kaleb Harris, Sylvester Smith-Reed and USF transfer Fred Gaskin III.
Winters’ 2025 season saw him play in all 12 games throughout the season, but starting only one. Nonetheless, he posted 33 total tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack, showing flashes of young talent in his freshman year.
Now, he is being looked up to as a leader, something that he is grateful for with the new coaching staff.
“I’m fortunate enough to be looked up as a leader. I’m just here to do my job,” Winters said.
Stepping into that position is certainly made easier by the presence of senior Champ Anthony, who is finally back healthy after having his last two seasons be riddled with injuries.
The all-around defensive star was selected to be a Preseason Third Team All-SEC player during SEC Media Days, but Winters says having him back healthy helps bring a vocalization to the secondary.
“It’s just having that leadership, a vocal guy and a guy who plays football like his hair is on fire,” Winters said. “I’m glad to have him back.”
This fall camp has also brought a new environment, as Golesh announced on Tuesday that the team is staying at the Marriott Resort Grand National in Opelika until Aug. 17, taking the athletes out of their own residence and eliminating any distractions from football.
It is a welcome change for each player, and while Winters was not a huge fan of the idea at first, he said he came around and it is a beneficial experience that he enjoys.
“When (Golesh) first said it, I was a little frustrated; I wanted to go back home into my own bed,” Winters said. “When you get there and you’re just around all those guys, it’s truly a blessing.”
An upperclassman who has had experience and built a steady routine for football has been placed with an underclassman who can continue to learn things about being an Auburn football player.
Winters has been paired with senior Jacoby Matthews for preseason camp, who transferred to the Plains after the 2024 season at Texas A&M. Despite Matthews not playing a ton during the 2025 season, Winters’ praise for him is high, saying he has the potential to be a star when the whole game comes together for Matthews.
“You can obviously tell Jacoby is talented,” Winters said. “Once he puts it all together, he’s going to be a dude… I’m just glad to have him back and see him put it all together.”
Getting ready to put it on the field for true game action come September, Winters said his excitement for what is to come is plentiful. Now, it’s time to go out there and execute.
“I’m fortunate enough to be here and play for Auburn University,” Winters said. “This is a dream come true for me as a kid. It’s just a blessing to be here.”
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
