Top Five: Transfers for '24

Rebuilding a roster in the transfer portal era is easy and challenging at the same time. With players having the option to leave for what they deem greener pastures, there will be attrition at almost every position.

In Hugh Freeze's case, rebuilding means finding talented players who can come in immediately and produce for a roster that dwindled in skill under the previous regime. Luckily for Auburn, Freeze and his staff did an excellent job finding key additions to much-needed positions while adding depth to others.

Here are the five transfers that will have a significant impact for the Tigers in 2024.

The top receiver in this year's transfer portal, Lambert-Smith brings immediate respect to Auburn's wide receiver corps after leading Penn State in catches (53) and receiving yards (673) last season. He also brings experience and leadership to a young receiver room full of raw talent. While Cam Coleman will get the headlines, Lambert-Smith is the most significant piece for Marcus Davis' group. Him building a rapport and chemistry with Payton Thorne is vital.

Thompson is the defensive version of Lambert-Smith in that he brings playmaking ability and experience to a secondary that lost four of its five starters last season. In four seasons at Texas, he recorded 176 tackles and five interceptions while breaking up 23 passes. Like Lambert-Smith, he will provide leadership along with Keionte Scott in Auburn's secondary.

Another massive addition to Freeze's offense, Lewis comes from Georgia State, where, like Lambert-Smith, he led his team in catches (70) and receiving yards (877) while also catching a team-leading seven touchdowns. At 5-foot-11, Lewis will see time as a slot receiver and already showed flashes of production during Auburn's A-Day game. He's another crucial part of the much-needed overhaul at receiver.

A man mountain at 6-foot-7 and 355 pounds, Lewis will be responsible for protecting Thorne's backside at left tackle. He also brings experience to an offensive line looking to improve its performance from last season, playing in 25 games with eight starts during his two seasons at Mississippi State. Lewis has good footwork for someone of his size. He's a huge addition in every sense.

An essential addition following spring practice, Crawford will contribute immediately in a backup role to Jalen McLeod following a standout season in which he put up 10.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, seven QB hurries, two forced fumbles and 44 total tackles for Arkansas State. He provides much-needed depth at the BUCK position and gives freshmen Amaris Williams and Jamonta Waller time to learn.

Honorable Mention: Trill Carter (DL), Gage Keys (DL), Antonio Kite (CB), Laquan Robinson (S)