In just two Saturdays, the Auburn Tigers will be playing a football game that counts towards their record, and while every game is important, this game is especially critical for Alex Golesh to make a good impression in his first game as head coach.
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Until then though, there is still work to be done in the final two weeks of preparation, as the Tigers have a mock game week routine before the actual game week.
Auburn Undercover is continuing to roll out its top 20 impact players watch list, where the staff has compiled a poll of players it thinks will be big on the field in 2026.
As a disclaimer, the poll was tabulated by rankings sent in from four people on the Auburn Undercover staff—Tyler Raley, Ryan Bartow, Caleb Jones and Jay Douglas. The rankings each person sent in were averaged, with the lowest score going at the top of the list.
As the list comes to the No. 15 spot, it is time to highlight one of the transfer offensive linemen in Cole Best, who will play a critical role in helping determine where this offense goes on a drive-by-drive basis.
General information:
Year: Senior
Position: Offensive lineman
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 322 pounds
Hometown: Winter Park, Florida
Performance in 2025:
The 2025 campaign was the final of five seasons that Best spent at USF, the last three of which were with Golesh as his head coach.
Best started all 13 games for the Bulls last season, starting all of those at center. He had previously had minimal time playing at left guard in previous years.
The senior center earned a grade of 72.3 from Pro Football Focus for his performance in 2025 after allowing just 10 pressures and zero sacks. He also earned a pass blocking grade of 78.7.
That performance in blocking for the No. 3 offense in the FBS which got 488.7 yards per game helped him work to be a Third Team All-American Conference selection.
Best is one of five seniors on the offensive line alongside Cole Skinner, Jacob Strand, Jack Leyrer and Jo Simmons. He and Skinner are the two offensive line transfers from USF, where they blocked for Byrum Brown, Auburn’s now quarterback.
Preseason camp intel:
In some ways, it is fair to say that the transition to playing offensive line with the Tigers was smooth and seamless. In other ways, it can be said that it was extremely difficult.
Best probably agrees with both answers. Leaning towards the smooth part though, a transition to a new offensive line can help when you’ve got at least one familiar face around you. Luckily for him, he has multiple.
Not only does Best have Brown at quarterback, but he also has Cole Skinner playing right next to him and four wide receivers that all came from USF.
Specifically in his relationship with Brown, offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick said the bond Best and Skinner have with the quarterback has helped a lot in terms of connection.
The confidence that comes as a result spread quickly.
“The fortunate piece is obviously a couple of guys in the room were already with (Byrum) at the last place—Skinner and Cole Best, so they already had that bond and knew who he was,” Hudniack said. “That spread like wildfire in our room for those guys to trust him, the guys who didn’t know him.”
Best is part of a “starting” five that is getting closer to being ready on the offensive line. However, the coaches are getting a lot of competition and have said that they are okay if they go into the first week with seven or eight rotating in and out.
For now, Best has effectively cemented himself as the starting center, with more answers to be filled in.
It means though that he will be relied upon heavily, even going up against SEC competition week in and week out.
Impacting Auburn ranking
No. 15 - Cole Best
No. 16 - Eric Winters
No. 17 - AnQuon Fegans
No. 18 - Omar Mabson II
No. 19 - Jake Johnson
No. 20 - Sylvester Smith-Reed
What do you say? Leave your thoughts on our board below.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
