New Auburn head coach Aelx Golesh will be in the market for a new starting center next season as the Tigers have suffered their first big loss of the offseason to the NFL. Center Connor Lew, who was unable to finish the 2025 season, announced via social media that he is declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Lew spent three seasons with the Tigers and has one more year of eligibility left; however, he must feel his best shot at the NFL is now, as he will forgo that last season. Before his ACL injury. Lew was being considered as one of the top offensive linemen in the draft, going in the first or second round.