Former Foley High football star and Auburn receiver Perry Thompson informed On3 this past weekend that he plans to enter the transfer portal once the window opens, a decision that was later shared across social media.

The college football transfer portal has become an anomaly with the 12-team playoff in full swing when the portal window opens, but Thompson's departure won't affect a postseason push or bowl game appearance for the Tigers with their 5-7 finish. However, the program is losing a potential future starter on the outside. The sophomore caught 22 passes for 280 yards and one touchdown in limited action this season.

Thompson was a multi-positional standout at Foley High School, contributing on offense, defense and special teams for coach Deric Scott. As a senior, he caught 53 passes for 718 yards and seven touchdowns, added 102 rushing yards and a score and completed 5 of 6 passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns. He also earned Alabama-Mississippi All-Star honors after a junior season in which he posted 87 receptions for 1,059 yards and nine TDs, earning first-team all-state recognition.

The 2026 transfer portal window opens Jan. 2 and closes Jan. 16, and Thompson is expected to be a highly sought-after target during that stretch.