With just one week until the Auburn Tigers take the field for the 2026 season, there are a lot of emotions that are beginning to rise in many around the team and fanbase about what Alex Golesh’s first campaign will hold.
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The Tigers take on Baylor on Sept. 5 in Atlanta, playing the back half of this home-and-home in the Aflac Kickoff Game instead of Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Many of Auburn’s highly-touted veterans are gearing up to try and make an impact, one of which is being revealed on the next edition of Auburn Undercover’s Impacting Auburn ranking.
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.
Champ Anthony comes in at No. 8 seeking to finally stay on the field for a full season after being riddled with injuries the last two years. The versatile senior is playing all five spots in the secondary, something that could be very beneficial for the defense.
General information:
Year: Senior
Position: Safety
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 195 pounds
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Performance in 2025:
After suffering a broken leg in the first half of the 2024 season, Anthony’s return was expected to provide a huge boost to the Tigers defense. However, more injuries came along.
In last year’s season opener at Baylor, Anthony suffered a broken thumb, limiting him once again. He then suffered another leg injury later on in the year, sidelining him.
Anthony ultimatety played in seven games and started four, gathering 13 total tackles and one pass breakup in his time on the field.
He only had two games during 2025 where he did not record multiple tackles, those being in losses against Oklahoma and Kentucky. His most productive game of the year came in a loss at home to Missouri, an appearance that saw him put up four tackles on the night.
His 13 tackles put him tied with De’Marcus Riddick and Dallas Walker IV for the year, but Anthony’s production should see a major increase should he stay healthy.
Preseason camp intel:
The newest return of Anthony to full health has been much anticipated, and he has certainly proven that based on observations in preseason camp.
Anthony has been seen rotating around all five spots of the secondary, showcasing his versatility as a player. It’s a trait he has gotten stronger in as time has gone on, and according to safeties coach Tim Banks, it’s refreshing to see.
“To finally see him healthy, hitting on all cylinders, it’s been awesome to see,” Banks said.
Not only has Anthony’s game been elevated though, but his leadership as a player has done so as well.
Throughout camp, Banks has watched Anthony continually back up his words with his actions, while also leading constantly to help some of the younger players out when they can improve on some facet of a drill.
“You’ve got a lot of people who talk a lot and don’t really have any substance about it,” Banks said. “He’s not that type of guy. When he says it, he means it, he stands on it.”
As for Anthony’s goals this season, it is evident he wants to be out on the field as much as possible so he can help the team in any way that he can.
Anthony wants to leave a stamp on the program with his aggressiveness and physicality, a mindset that Golesh thrives on as a coach. Anthony wants his teammates to channel that attitude as well, which will make him a better player in the end.
“You red line every day, you push that limit farther and farther and farther,” Anthony said. “If we do that, 11 guys to the ball, it’s a scary defense.”
Impacting Auburn ranking
No. 8 - Champ Anthony
No. 9 - Dallas Walker IV
No. 10 - Stanton Ramil
No. 11 - Jeremiah Koger
No. 12 - Da’Shawn Womack
No. 13 - Rayshawn Pleasant
No. 14 - Alex McPherson
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.
