Tracking the transfers
AUBURN | The transfer portal for the 2021-22 season has already had a big impact on Auburn’s roster with 16 departures and five incoming since the end of the regular season.
The deadline to enter the portal and be eligible to play this fall is May 1.
Below is a look at the transfers by position and the impact each has had on the depth chart.
QUARTERBACK
Transfers out (1): Sr. Bo Nix (ORE)
Transfers in (2): Jr. Zach Calzada (TAMU), So. Robby Ashford (ORE)
Returning (2): Jr. T.J. Finley, RFr. Dematrius Davis
Incoming (1): TFr. Holden Geriner
Targets (0): None
The Skinny: With the additions of Calzada and Ashford, Auburn will have a wide-open, five-player battle for the starting quarterback position this spring. There could certainly be some post-spring attrition, however.
RUNNING BACK
Transfers out (1): Gr. Shaun Shivers (IND)
Transfers in (0): None
Returning (3): Jr. Tank Bigsby, So. Jarquez Hunter, So. Jordon Ingram
Incoming (1): TFr. Damari Alston
Targets (1): TFr. TreVonte’ Citizen (HS)
The Skinny: If Auburn misses on Citizen, it could pursue a transfer running back to solidify the depth chart. This list also doesn’t include walk-on Sean Jackson, who played in all 13 games last season.
WIDE RECEIVER
Transfers out (2): Jr. Elijah Canion (PUR), Jr. Kobe Hudson (UCF)
Transfers in (0): None
Returning (6): Gr. Shedrick Jackson, Jr. Ze’Vian Capers, Jr. Ja’Varrius Johnson, Jr. Malcolm Johnson Jr., So. J.J. Evans, RFr. Ta’Varish Dawson
Incoming (3): TFr. Jay Fair, TFr. Omari Kelly, TFr. Camden Brown
Targets (0): None at this time
The Skinny: Jackson will provide some much-needed leadership to the group, which still needs an injection of talent via the portal. After missing out on a couple of targets, the Tigers are expected to keep a close eye on any new portal entries in the coming weeks and months. The three signees will have an opportunity to play right away, especially Fair, who has enrolled for spring semester.
TIGHT END
Transfers out (0): None
Transfers in (0): None
Returning (5): Gr. John Samuel Shenker, Jr. Luke Deal, Jr. Tyler Fromm, Jr. Brandon Frazier, So. Landen King
Incoming (1): TFr. Micah Riley-Ducker
Targets (0): None
The Skinny: With the return of Shenker, this is one of the most talented and deepest positions on the team.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Transfers out (1): Gr. Tashawn Manning (KEN)
Transfers in (0): None
Returning (14): Gr. Nick Brahms, Gr. Austin Troxell, Gr. Brandon Council, Gr. Brenden Coffey, Gr. Alec Jackson, Sr. Kilian Zierer, Sr. Jalil Irvin, Sr. Kameron Stutts, Jr. Keiondre Jones, So. Jeremiah Wright, So. Tate Johnson, So. Avery Jernigan, RFr. Colby Smith, RFr. Garner Langlo
Incoming (1): TFr. Eston Harris
Targets (3): Hunter Nourzad (COR), Tyler Steen (VU), TFr. Jalen Farmer (HS)
The Skinny: Even with the return of eight players with a combined 121 college starts, Auburn could desperately use a couple of transfers to upgrade the talent level. AU would also like to add at least one additional signee in the late period. Right now, AU is scheduled to return just seven OL for 2023.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Transfers out (7): Sr. Caleb Johnson, Sr. Dre Butler (LIB), So. Daniel Foster-Allen (USA), RFr. Lee Hunter (UCF), Jr. J.J. Pegues (OM), RFr. Ian Matthews, RFr. Marquis Robinson
Transfers in (1): So. Jayson Jones (ORE)
Returning (5): Gr. Marquis Burks, Jr. Colby Wooden, Jr. Marcus Harris, Jr. Zeke Walker, RFr, RFr. Tobechi Okoli
Incoming (2): Jr. Jeffrey M’ba, TFr. Enyce Sledge
Targets (0): None
The Skinny: Even with the recent defections, Auburn still has a solid two-deep and a swing guy but the ranks are certainly getting thinner.. Getting Wooden and Burks back, and adding Jones was a big boost. The Tigers need to develop depth for backup roles this season and looking ahead for starters over the next two years.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER AND EDGE
Transfers out (1): Jr. Romello Height (USC)
Transfers in (0): None
Returning (4): Sr. Derick Hall, Sr. Eku Leota, Jr. Cam Riley, RFr. Dylan Brooks
Incoming (0): None at this time
Targets (1): TFr. Jack Pyburn (HS)
The Skinny: With Hall and Leota returning, Auburn has two experienced and talented edge rushers. Depth is an issue, however, and the Tigers would like to add a portal pass rusher in addition to landing Pyburn in the late period. If Pyburn signs, he’ll have an opportunity to play right away. AU needs to develop some young edge players so this position has to be a high priority for the 2023 class.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Transfers out (0): None
Transfers in (1): Sr. Eugene Asante (UNC)
Returning (5): Sr. Owen Pappoe, Jr. Wesley Steiner, Jr. Desmond Tisdol, Jr. Kameron Brown, So. Joko Willis
Incoming (2): TFr. Powell Gordon, TFr. Robert Woodyard
Targets (1): Jr. Ty’Ron Hopper
The Skinny: The return of Pappoe is a boost for this position. He’ll lead an inexperienced group with Willis having an opportunity to take a big step forward this spring. Asante will help fill the loss of Zakoby McClain and is a potential starter.
CORNERBACK AND NICKEL
Transfers out (1): Gr. Dreshun Miller
Transfers in (1): D.J. James (ORE)
Returning (4): Sr. Nehemiah Pritchett, Jr. Jaylin Simpson, Jr. Ro Torrence, RFr. A.D. Diamond
Incoming (3): Jr. Keionte Scott, TFr. JaDarian Rhym, TFr. Austin Ausberry
Targets (0): None
The Skinny: James was a big addition who will compete for a starting position right away. The additions of Scott, Ausberry and Rhym in the days before Signing Day were a key to this class. All three should play this fall. Rhym is a corner, Scott could play corner or nickel, and Ausberry any of the three positions in the secondary. This position has talent and depth.
SAFETY
Transfers out (2): So. Ladarius Tennison (OM), RFr. Ahmari Harvey (GT)
Transfers in (0): None
Returning (4): Jr. Zion Puckett, Jr. Donovan Kaufman, So. Eric Reed Jr., RFr. Cayden Bridges
Incoming (2): Jr. Marquise Gilbert, TFr. Caleb Wooden
Targets (0): None at this time
The Skinny: Puckett and Kaufman return with starting experience but this position could use an injection of talent. That could come from either Gilbert or Wooden, who could play or even start this fall. Bridges has a big opportunity to earn a spot this spring. AU may look for a talented safety from the portal to upgrade the talent and depth here.