Auburn University’s football program has bolstered its roster for the upcoming 2025 season by securing commitments from two notable transfers: tight end Preston Howard from the University of Maryland and kicker Connor Gibbs from Southern Miss.
**Preston Howard: Tight End from Maryland**
Preston Howard, a 6-foot-4, 231-pound sophomore tight end, announced his transfer to Auburn on December 20, 2024. During his tenure at Maryland, Howard showcased his abilities over two seasons, accumulating 37 receptions for 349 yards and one touchdown. His most productive season was in 2024, where he recorded 24 catches for 189 yards. Notably, Howard’s lone touchdown for the Terrapins was against Auburn in the 2023 Music City Bowl, a game where Maryland triumphed 31-13.
Howard’s addition comes at a crucial time for Auburn, as the team is set to lose key tight end Rivaldo Fairweather, who, over two seasons, amassed 69 receptions for 766 yards and eight touchdowns. Howard’s experience and proven track record are expected to fill this impending void and provide a reliable target for Auburn’s offense.
**Connor Gibbs: Kicker from Southern Miss**
In an effort to address special teams challenges, Auburn has brought in Connor Gibbs, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound sophomore kicker from Southern Miss. Gibbs demonstrated a strong leg during his time with the Golden Eagles, successfully converting 10 of 13 field goal attempts in the 2024 season, including a career-long 59-yard kick. Additionally, he handled kickoff duties, averaging 59.2 yards per attempt on 30 kickoffs, with six resulting in touchbacks.
Auburn’s kicking game faced significant challenges in 2024, with the team ranking last in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in field goal percentage, converting only 12 of 22 attempts (54.6%). The absence of primary kicker Alex McPherson for most of the season due to injury further exacerbated these issues. True freshman Towns McGough and sophomore Ian Vachon shared kicking responsibilities, combining for a subpar performance. Gibbs’ arrival is anticipated to bring stability and consistency to Auburn’s special teams unit.
**Implications for Auburn’s 2025 Season**
Head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff have been proactive in utilizing the transfer portal to strengthen the team’s roster across various positions. The acquisitions of Howard and Gibbs address specific needs in the tight end and kicker roles, respectively. Howard’s experience in the Big Ten and his previous performance against Auburn suggest he can be an immediate contributor to the Tigers’ offense. Similarly, Gibbs’ proven kicking range and accuracy are expected to enhance Auburn’s special teams performance, a critical component in close contests.
These strategic additions reflect Auburn’s commitment to improving its competitiveness in the SEC. As the 2025 season approaches, the integration of these transfers will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, with expectations that they will play pivotal roles in the team’s pursuit of success.
