ESPN dropped its list of the Top 100 Players for the 2025 college football season, and Auburn fans, we’ve got reason to be excited: two Tigers made the cut. Wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. comes in at No. 100, while edge rusher Keldric Faulk rockets all the way up to No. 18.
It’s a recognition of the talent Hugh Freeze is stacking on the Plains — but it’s also a reminder of how important these two guys will be if Auburn wants to take a leap this season. Let’s break it down.
Eric Singleton Jr. — Speed, Depth, and Explosiveness (No. 100)
When Auburn brought in Eric Singleton Jr. via the transfer portal, it was all about speed. The kid can flat-out fly, and he’s already flashing in camp as someone who can take the top off a defense.
Now, let’s be honest — the Tigers’ passing attack has been a sore spot. But with Jackson Arnold stepping in at quarterback, Freeze needed more options who could create separation and turn short catches into big gains. That’s exactly what Singleton brings.
He might not be Auburn’s WR1, but his presence forces defenses to respect the deep ball, which opens up more space underneath for guys like Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson. That kind of balance could be the key to finally unlocking this offense.
Keldric Faulk — Auburn’s Next Game-Wrecker (No. 18)
If there’s one name Auburn fans should circle on defense this season, it’s Keldric Faulk. ESPN putting him inside the top 20 players in the entire country tells you everything you need to know: he’s ready to dominate.
Faulk’s size, speed, and explosiveness make him the type of player who can wreck an entire game plan. Auburn hasn’t had a true nightmare off the edge in a while, but Faulk looks like he’s about to change that.
With an opener against a high-powered Baylor offense and a brutal SEC schedule, Faulk’s ability to generate pressure could make or break Auburn’s season. If he commands double-teams, it frees up the rest of the front seven — and if teams don’t double him, good luck keeping your quarterback upright.
Big Picture
Two players in ESPN’s Top 100 might not sound like much, but when one’s a premier pass rusher and the other adds elite speed to a WR room that desperately needed it, the impact is massive.
Hugh Freeze has been clear: Auburn wants to compete now. For that to happen, Singleton needs to stretch defenses, and Faulk has to lead the charge on defense. If both guys play up to their billing, Auburn’s ceiling in 2025 is higher than a lot of people realize.