One of the Auburn Tigers’ most dynamic contributors from last season has officially found a new destination, as forward Elyjah Freeman is headed to the Texas Longhorns, according to a report from On3’s Joe Tipton.
Freeman’s decision marks another notable roster change for Auburn following the conclusion of its season, which ended with an NIT championship run. He becomes the second player from that roster to transfer elsewhere, joining Filip Jović, who recently committed to UCLA.
Freeman originally arrived at Auburn last offseason after transferring from Division II Lincoln Memorial, and he quickly carved out a meaningful role during his lone year on the Plains. By the 2025–26 season, he had worked his way into the starting lineup, starting 21 of 38 games and emerging as one of the team’s most athletic and energetic contributors.
Over the course of the season, Freeman averaged 9.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, providing consistent production on both ends of the floor. His impact became even more noticeable during Auburn’s postseason run in the National Invitation Tournament, where he elevated his play as the competition intensified.
In the Tigers’ five NIT games, Freeman posted averages of 10.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest, showing improved aggression and efficiency. He finished in double figures in five of his final 10 games, highlighting a strong late-season surge. One of his standout performances came in the NIT championship game against Tulsa, where he dominated the glass with 14 rebounds, helping Auburn secure the title in Indianapolis.
Despite those strong moments, Freeman’s future became uncertain shortly after the season ended. Immediately following Auburn’s championship victory, he told reporters that he was “locked in” with the program, suggesting he intended to return. However, as the offseason progressed, momentum shifted, and he entered the NCAA transfer portal on April 10.
In the weeks that followed, speculation around his next move intensified. Some reports even suggested a potential return to Auburn for a second season, but those rumors were ultimately put to rest with his commitment to Texas. Freeman will now join a Longhorns program led by head coach Sean Miller, where he is expected to compete for a significant role on the wing.
His departure leaves a notable gap in Auburn’s rotation, particularly in terms of athleticism and rebounding from the forward position. The Tigers will now likely turn to the transfer portal to help replace his production. Several names have already emerged as potential targets, including Troy transfer Thomas Dowd and South Alabama transfer Adam Olsen, both of whom could provide depth and scoring on the wing.
Another storyline to monitor moving forward is the status of Auburn forward Sebastian Williams-Adams. While he has previously indicated plans to return for his sophomore season, there has been ongoing speculation about whether that decision could still change. If he remains with the program, head coach Steven Pearl has suggested that Williams-Adams could expand his role by playing both the three and four positions, which would help offset some of the production lost with Freeman’s departure.
For now, Freeman’s move to Texas signals another adjustment for Auburn as it reshapes its roster for the upcoming season and continues building around its remaining core.
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