Auburn addressed a key need on the offensive line through the transfer portal by adding former Virginia Tech tackle Xavier Chaplin. Head coach Hugh Freeze and the Tigers officially signed Chaplin on Tuesday, securing an experienced lineman with three seasons under his belt at Virginia Tech.
Offensive tackle was a priority for Auburn after losing Izavion Miller, despite starting left tackle Dillon Wade announcing his return over the weekend. Auburn initially planned for Wade to play guard but shifted him back to tackle to replace Percy Lewis, who has exhausted his eligibility.
Chaplin, who started the past two seasons for the Hokies, brings a solid resume and is positioned to compete for a starting role immediately. In 2024, he earned a 74.9 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, a mark that would have been second-best among Auburn’s starting offensive linemen.
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