The Auburn Tigers are 1-0 for the 2026 season after a thriller in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, when they took down the Baylor Bears in the final seconds of the game.
Now, the Tigers are preparing for their home opener against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in roughly 48 hours, and as is the normality in college football, they are filled with transfers from the offseason.
The addition of transfers means some new stars might rise to the forefront of the Golden Eagles program, which was a prominent theme that Auburn saw against Baylor.
With that in mind, here are five players that transferred to Southern Miss in the offseason that should be on watch on Saturday.
Kobi Albert, safety
Previous school: UConn
Kobi Albert may not have truly gotten to etch his name in UConn history, but what he has done up to this pointin his career has set him up for success with the Golden Eagles.
In the team’s season-opening win over Alcorn State, Albert showed himself in a big way, not only starting, but reeling in three interceptions in the process. It was arguably the most impactful game of his college career compared to his two other seasons on the field at MIssissippi State and Kentucky.
At 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, Albert is a player that is about the average in size for a corner, but his agility and ability to find the ball is what sets him apart for Southern Miss.
He stands to be a key player in the defensive secondary, trying to force Byrum Brown into more interceptions after he threw three last week.
Jamarice Wilder, running back
Previous school: Louisville
For Jamarice Wilder, he does not have the most time on the field in his collegiate career, but the Golden Eagles definitely saw something in him that they wanted in Hattiesburg.
Amid a heavy running game in its season opener against the Braves of Alcorn State, Southern Miss ran for more than 300 yards in a 49-3 rout. Wilder notched 14 carries for 90 yards and two touchdowns, making it a productive game for the redshirt freshman.
While Steven Robinson may get the most carries on the team when the Golden Eagles come to the Plains, Wilder will be one to watch in a rotational sense, as the 5-foot-9 athlete has a stature that allows him to get through small spaces and get into open field.
Mario Sanders, wide receiver
Previous school: Illinois
Sanders arrived in Hattiesburg after spending a little time in the Big Ten at Illinois alongside his quarterback Ethan Hampton. It makes for no secret then why Sanders might be one of the favored targets of Southern Miss in 2026.
The senior had two receptions for 32 yards with the Fighting Illini in 2025, but is now set to make a name for himself in the Sun Belt.
Sanders was the leading receiver for the Golden Eagles against Alcorn State in the season opener, also grabbing the lone receiving touchdown in the game for the team that was defined by the running game.
It is likely he will be a go-to receiver for Hampton when they take the field on Saturday.
Laquan Robinson, defensive back
Previous school: Kansas
If you recognize this name, don’t second guess yourself. Laquan Robinson came to Auburn after playing at Holmes Community College. After the 2024 season, he departed and made his way to the Big 12 to play at Kansas.
With the Jayhawks, Robinson only racked up four tackles and one forced fumble, but it was enough to put his name on Southern Miss’ radar when he entered the transfer portal following his 2025 campaign.
In the team’s first game, the redshirt senior surpassed that mark and notched seven tackles with one pass deflection, being third on the team in tackles for the day.
Robinson’s power conference experience stands to give him a nice advantage against his former team, looking to cause havoc in the secondary.
Ethan Hampton, quarterback
Previous school: Illinois
Any time a mid-major team gets a quarterback that played in a Power Four conference, eyebrows will be raised. That is certainly what has happened when the Golden Eagles landed Ethan Hampton out of Illinois.
Hampton did not land the starting job with the Fighting Illini, but has starting experience from his time in Northern Illinois. Now, he is a starter once again, looking to make a statement as a graduate student.
After a 13-for-23 outing with 180 yards, one touchdown and one interception, Hampton will certainly be looking to improve on his efforts on the road.
His decisions will make a difference in this game, especially against a Tigers defense that forced two turnovers in the season opener last week.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
