As the December 28 deadline for college football players to enter the transfer portal approaches, several athletes are making last-minute decisions regarding their futures. Among them is an experienced offensive lineman who has decided to seek a new opportunity.

Percy Lewis, who transferred to Auburn from Mississippi State before the 2024 season, has officially re-entered the transfer portal after just one year with the Tigers. His time at Auburn saw moments of promise, but ultimately, he struggled to secure a consistent starting role on the offensive line.

During the 2024 season, Lewis logged 308 snaps at left tackle and started five games for Auburn. However, his playing time diminished significantly as the season progressed. In the final six games, he played only 27 snaps, indicating that he had fallen out of favor in the Tigers’ offensive line rotation. Instead, Dillon Wade emerged as the primary left tackle, accumulating 379 snaps over the course of the season.

With Wade set to return in 2025, Lewis faced an uphill battle for playing time. Auburn further complicated his path to a starting role by bringing in two additional offensive tackles through the transfer portal: Xavier Chaplin from Virginia Tech and Mason Murphy from USC. These additions bolstered the Tigers’ depth at the position and left Lewis with limited opportunities to reclaim his role on the offensive line.

Over the course of the 2024 season, Lewis appeared in 10 games but struggled at times in pass protection. He allowed a total of eight quarterback pressures, which included four sacks and three quarterback hurries. While he showed flashes of potential, his inconsistency contributed to his reduced playing time and ultimately led to his decision to transfer.

Lewis is now the second offensive lineman from Auburn’s 2024 roster to enter the transfer portal, following EJ Harris. His decision to transfer suggests he is looking for a program where he can earn more playing time and continue developing his skills as an offensive tackle.

The move comes at a critical time for college football players navigating the transfer portal process. With the NCAA’s December 28 deadline looming, athletes must weigh their options carefully, considering factors such as playing time, coaching staff, and team needs before making their final decisions.

For Auburn, the departure of Lewis is a reflection of the ongoing competition and roster management strategies under head coach Hugh Freeze. The Tigers are focused on building a competitive roster, and adding players like Chaplin and Murphy signals their intent to strengthen the offensive line for the future. While losing experienced depth in Lewis and Harris may seem like a setback, Auburn’s coaching staff appears confident in the talent they have assembled for the upcoming season.

For Lewis, this transfer represents a fresh start and an opportunity to find a team where he can make a more immediate impact. Given his experience in the SEC and the time he has spent developing at both Mississippi State and Auburn, he will likely attract interest from programs in need of offensive line help. Teams looking for a veteran tackle with SEC experience could see Lewis as a valuable addition to their roster.

Ultimately, the decision to enter the transfer portal is a significant one for any college football player. For Lewis, it marks the next step in his journey as he seeks a new home where he can showcase his abilities and contribute at a higher level. As the portal deadline approaches, it will be interesting to see where he lands and how his career unfolds from here.