AUBURN | The transfer portal for the 2023-24 season has had a big impact Auburn's roster with 20 outgoing and 16 incoming.
The transfer portal for the spring period was April 16-30 for college football players to enter.
Below is a look at the transfers by position and the impact each will have on AU's depth chart.
*** THE LATEST: Auburn signed former Maryland linebacker Fa'Najae Gotay Thursday as the seventh addition this spring and 16th overall.
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 (4): Gr. Brian Battie, Sr. Jarquez Hunter, Jr. Damari Alston, So. Jeremiah Cobb
Incoming (0): None
The Skinny: 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. Battie still has a long road in recovery following a tragic shooting in May.
WIDE RECEIVER
Transfers out (6): Omari Kelly, (MTSU) Jyaire Shorter (MEM), Malcolm Johnson (BG), Ja’Varrius Johnson (UCF), Jay Fair (USC), Koy Moore
Transfers in (3): Sr. Robert Lewis (GSU), Sr. Sam Jackson V (CAL), Sr. KeAndre Lambert-Smith (PSU)
Current (6): Jr. Camden Brown, So. Caleb Burton, TFr. Cam Coleman, TFr. Bryce Cain, TFr. Perry Thompson, TFr. Malcolm Simmons
Incoming (0): None
The Skinny: The wide receiver position has been transformed during the offseason and showed a lot of improvement during spring drills. The latest addition of Lambert-Smith gives AU a veteran, reliable outside receiver with big-play ability, which will allow Lewis to slide inside to the slot. Lewis, Jackson and Coleman were the starters during the A-Day game.Thompson and Simmons joined the team this summer and are capable of contributing right away. Only two receivers, Brown and Burton, return from last year's unit.
TIGHT END
Transfers out (1): Tyler Fromm (GSU)
Transfers in (1): So. Rico Walker (MARY)
Current (4): Gr. Luke Deal, Gr. Brandon Frazier, Sr. Rivaldo Fairweather, So. Micah Riley
Incoming (0): None
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. Deal and Frazier are both team leaders, and very capable blockers and pass catchers. 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 (2): Sr. Percy Lewis (MSU), Sr. Ronan Chambers (AKR)
Current (14): 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, TFr. DeAndre Carter
Incoming (0): None
The Skinny: Percy stepped in at left tackle to solidify AU's offensive line this spring. Chambers should provide depth and compete at right tackle or possibly right guard. 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 (FAU)
Transfers in (4): Jr. Gage Keys (KAN), Sr. Trill Carter (TEX), Sr. Philip Blidi (IND), Sr. Isaiah Raikes (USC)
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: Auburn has boosted this position in a big way via the portal. Keys and Carter made an immediate impact starting the spring game. The two spring additions, Blidi and Raikes, should compete for starting spots and be big parts of the playing rotation. 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 (CHA), Brenton Williams (LIB)
Transfers in (1): Jr. Keyron Crawford (ARST)
Current (3): Sr. Jalen McLeod, TFr. Jamonta Waller, TFr. Joseph Phillips
Incoming (0): None
The Skinny: Crawford was a key addition giving Auburn experienced depth behind McLeod, who is AU's top pass rusher. Waller and Phillips are talented freshmen and should have opportunities to play this fall. Both have big upsides.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Transfers out (2): Cam Riley (FSU), Wesley Steiner (WSU)
Transfers in (2): Sr. Dorian Mausi Jr. (DUKE), Fa'Najae Gotay (MARY)
Current (5): Sr. Eugene Asante, Sr. Austin Keys, So. Robert Woodyard, TFr. Demarcus Riddick, TFr. D'Angelo Barber
Incoming (0): None
The Skinny: Gotay was an important late addition to provide depth, experience and versatility. The 7th-year player worked under AU defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin at Maryland and could play Will or Mike. Asante is the heart of the linebacker room, which should be a strength of the defense. 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 (3): Austin Ausberry (LSU), J.D. Rhym (HOU), Colton Hood (COL)
Transfers in (2): So. Antonio Kite (ALA), Jr. Jahquez Robinson (COL)
Current (8): Sr. Keionte Scott, Jr. Champ Anthony, So. Kayin Lee, RFr. Tyler Scott, RFr. J.C. Hart, TFr. Jalyn Crawford, TFr. Kensley Faustin, TFr. A'Mon Lane-Ganus
Incoming (0): None
The Skinny: Robinson is a big boost after the loss of Tyler Scott to a knee injury. Scott was expected to be a key backup at nickel and corner. Robinson will likely compete at nickel and safety. This spring, Keionte Scott made the move from nickel to corner and Lee stepped up as the other starter. Anthony was a standout at nickel. Crawford and Faustin both showed a lot of promise as true freshman while Hart took a step forward in his development.
SAFETY
Transfers out (2): Marquise Gilbert, Donovan Kaufman (NCST)
Transfers in (1): Sr. 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. This should be one of the most competitive positions during fall camp.
TOTALS
Transfers out: 20
Transfers in: 16
Current: 64 (includes kicker and punter)
Incoming: 0
PROJECTED TOTAL: 80
