If there is one position Gus Malzahn’s Auburn team can’t afford to lose a body at this offseason, it’s on the offensive line. Taking that into consideration, the latest news on the Plains could result in a big loss for the program.

Former five-star signee Calvin Ashley plans to explore his options this offseason and will enter his name in the NCAA transfer portal. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound offensive lineman announced the news on Monday. Keep in mind, just because Ashley is exploring his options and will enter the portal, that does not mean he cannot return to Auburn next season. However, this would be the first step in a potential transfer from the program.

Ashley started only one game for the Tigers last season and participated in only five contests during his redshirt freshman season. He was ranked as the No. 26 overall prospect in the nation in the 2017 recruiting cycle out of St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. He was also an Under Armour All-American selection coming out of high school.

While Ashley has yet to make a name for himself with the Tigers, the team’s offensive line was largely inconsistent last season and really struggled at both tackle positions — where Ashley projected to at least compete for a spot next season.

Auburn managed to sign three offensive linemen in the 2019 recruiting cycle, however, none of those players project as an offensive tackle and none of them enrolled early at Auburn.

Here is Ashley’s official declaration of his plan to enter the transfer portal: