Tracking the transfers 4/18
AUBURN | The transfer portal for the 2023-24 season has had a big impact Auburn's roster with 16 outgoing and nine incoming.
The transfer portal for the spring period opened Tuesday and closes April 30 for college football players.
Below is a look at the transfers by position and the impact each will have on AU's depth chart.
QUARTERBACK
Transfers out (1): Robby Ashford (SCAR)
Transfers in (0): None
Current (4): Sr. Payton Thorne, So. Holden Geriner, RFr. Hank Brown, TFr. Walker White
Incoming (0): None
The Skinny: Auburn finished spring with four quarterbacks and it looks like it will enter the fall with the same four. Thorne is likely to begin the season as the starter. The biggest question surrounding this group is how much it can improve with better receivers, a better offensive line and having all the offensive coaches on the same page. The battle for No. 2 will continue this fall as a preview of next year's competition for the starter.
RUNNING BACK
Transfers out (0): None
Transfers in (0): None
Current (5): Gr. Brian Battie, Sr. Jarquez Hunter, Jr. Damari Alston, Jr. Sean Jackson, So. Jeremiah Cobb
Incoming (0): None
The Skinny: Battie entered the portal in December but elected to return. It's a talented group and most are capable of a breakout season. Hunter is the most experienced but Alston pushed him hard during the spring and AU's coaches know they've got to get Cobb more touches.
WIDE RECEIVER
Transfers out (4): Omari Kelly, (MTSU) Jyaire Shorter (MEM), Malcolm Johnson (BG), Ja’Varrius Johnson
Transfers in (2): Robert Lewis (GSU), Sam Jackson V (CAL)
Current (6): Sr. Koy Moore, Jr. Camden Brown, Jr. Jay Fair, So. Caleb Burton, TFr. Cam Coleman, TFr. Bryce Cain
Incoming (2): TFr. Perry Thompson, TFr. Malcolm Simmons
The Skinny: The wide receiver position has been transformed during the offseason and showed a lot of improvement during spring drills. Both transfer along with Coleman were the starters during the A-Day game.Two more freshmen are scheduled to arrive next month and AU will seek out even more WR help in the portal this spring.
TIGHT END
Transfers out (1): Tyler Fromm (GSU)
Transfers in (1): Rico Walker (MARY)
Current (4): Gr. Luke Deal, Gr. Brandon Frazier, Sr. Rivaldo Fairweather, So. Micah Riley
Incoming (0):
The Skinny: One of the strongest positions on the team with three veterans including Fairweather, who set an AU record for catches as a tight end last season. Riley and Walker preformed well this spring and will be ready to step into a starring role next season.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Transfers out (0): None
Transfers in (1): Percy Lewis (MSU)
Current (13): Sr. Jeremiah Wright, Sr. Tate Johnson, Sr. Dillon Wade, Sr. Izavion Miller, Sr. Jaden Muskrat, So. E.J. Harris, So. Connor Lew, RFr. Tyler Johnson, RFr. Dylan Senda, RFr. Clay Wedin, RFr. Bradyn Joiner, So. Seth Wilfred, TFr. Favour Edwin
Incoming (1): TFr. DeAndre Carter
The Skinny: Percy stepped in at left tackle to solidify AU's offensive line this spring. Wade did well moving to left guard while Wright looks to have finally secured a full-time starting position at right guard. Lew is a budding star at center and Miller worked hard to increase his quickness over the offseason. This is the healthiest Au's offensive line has looked in years.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Transfers out (3): Enyce Sledge (ILL), Stephen Johnson, Wilky Denaud (MSU)
Transfers in (2): Gage Keys (KAN), Trill Carter (TEX)
Current (8): Sr. Zeke Walker, Sr. Jayson Jones, Sr. Quientrail Jamison-Travis, So. Keldric Faulk, RFr. Darron Reed, TFr. T.J. Lindsey, TFr. Malik Blocton, TFr. Amaris Williams
Incoming (0): None
The Skinny: Keys and Carter made an immediate impact starting the spring game. AU wil look to bring in at lest one more potential difference-maker on the D-line. Faulk is poised for a big season after starting as a true freshman last season. If Reed continues to improve, he could make an impact this fall. All three freshmen look like future stars.
BUCK LINEBACKER
Transfers out (2): Stephen Sings, Brenton Williams
Transfers in (0): None
Current (3): Sr. Jalen McLeod, TFr. Jamonta Waller, TFr. Joseph Phillips
Incoming (0): None
The Skinny: McLeod returning for next season is a big boost for the defense. He's AU's best pass rusher but can use some help. Waller and Phillips were important additions and flashed potential this spring, but AU needs to add a veteran pass rusher from the portal to compliment McLeod.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Transfers out (1): Cam Riley (NCST)
Transfers in (1): Dorian Mausi Jr. (DUKE)
Current (6): Gr. Wesley Steiner, Sr. Eugene Asante, Sr. Austin Keys, So. Robert Woodyard, TFr. Demarcus Riddick, TFr. D'Angelo Barber
Incoming (0): None
The Skinny: The heart of the defense led by Asante, the linebacker position as talent, experience, depth and some talented freshmen. Keys and Mausi are both physical defenders between the tackles. Despite the depth, Riddick and Barber should play this fall and could both be starters in 2025.
CORNERBACK AND NICKEL
Transfers out (2): Austin Ausberry (LSU), J.D. Rhym
Transfers in (1): Antonio Kite (ALA)
Current (8): Sr. Keionte Scott, Jr. Champ Anthony, So. Kayin Lee, RFr. J.C. Hart, RFr. Colton Hood, RFr. Tyler Scott, TFr. Jalyn Crawford, TFr. Kensley Faustin
Incoming (1): TFr. A'Mon Lane-Ganus
The Skinny: Scott made the move from nickel to corner and Lee stepped up as the other starter. Hood had a good spring and is ready to step in as a starter when needed. Anthony was a standout at nickel, Scott also stepped up and the freshmen were positive surprises.
SAFETY
Transfers out (2): Marquise Gilbert, Donovan Kaufman (NCST)
Transfers in (1): Jerrin Thompson (TEX)
Current (6): Jr. Caleb Wooden, So. Terrance Love, RFr. Sylvester Smith, RFr. C.J. Johnson, So. Laquan Robinson, TFr. Kaleb Harris
Incoming (0): None
The Skinny: Thompson was an important addition and looks like a starter. There's plenty of competition, however, with Wooden and Smith also standouts in the spring along with Harris, who was the biggest surprise among the true freshmen. Robinson could also make a push this fall.
TOTALS
Transfers out: 16
Transfers in: 9
Current: 65 (includes kicker and punter)
Incoming: 4
PROJECTED TOTAL: 78