Heading into the 2021 season, we know two things about Auburn football:
- Their strength on offense will be in the running game because of Tank Bigsby and Shaun Shivers and
- The defense will be responsible for getting enough stops to put the team in a position to go 7-5 or 8-4 (or better) with one of the toughest schedules in the nation.
There’s not a whole bunch we know just yet about the quarterback position, though. In fact, the problems the Tigers have had under center the past few years are not guaranteed to dissipate even with a normal offseason of development for Bo Nix and the addition of six-foot-six LSU transfer TJ Finley to the QB room.
As of now, there are questions as to who will make big plays through the air for Auburn football in year one of the Bryan Harsin era due to the departures of the NFL-bound duo of Anthony Schwartz and Seth Williams as well as Eli Stove, who was signed as a UDFA but was released by the Los Angeles Chargers due to an injury found during his physical. Hal Presley’s departure also increases the need for additional depth in the WR room.
Harsin and new WR coach Cornelius Williams should do whatever it takes to shore up the position heading into 2021. As of now, Elijah Canion seems poised to grab hold of the WR1 job after a strong A-Day and breakout performance during the Citrus Bowl, which served as his 2020 season debut/finale.
Behind him, though, is a lack of another go-to option. Perhaps an impact transfer addition could be the panacea for that, and these 2 Power Five WR transfers that recently hit the portal should be pursued by the Auburn football coaching staff:
WR target #1 Auburn football should pursue: Malachi Wideman
The Tennessee Volunteers never found a use for the six-foot-four Malachi Wideman, leading to the Venice, Florida product’s departure from Rocky Top this past week. The minute he hit the portal, the eyes of Harsin, Williams and co. likely locked onto the 4-star 2020 commit as the next transfer target.
Given the nature of Wideman’s initial recruitment, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Auburn football back in the mix, with in-state UCF also likely having interest considering that in addition to having Malzahn’s attention, the Knights were also in contention to land him last June.
SEC rivals Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, and Ole Miss figure to be in the mix as well. With JT Daniels, Emory Jones, and Matt Corral profiling as some of the other quarterback options Wideman should have, the Tigers have an up-hill climb in their pursuit of the former Volunteer.
That said, Harsin’s competition-based camp battles could benefit Wideman, who would be joining an unproven WR room free of any negative stigma tied to not getting on the field last season in Knoxville.
Auburn football would be adding their fifth 4-star WR if Wideman were to make his way to the Plains.
WR target #2 Auburn football should pursue: Jake Smith
It came as a massive shock to the Texas football program to see Jake Smith join Keithron Lee in leaving the Longhorns this past week. FS’ Hook ‘Em Headlines saw Smith as one of the top returning receivers, but the exodus of the junior out of Austin could cause a national competition for the services of the former 4-star recruit.
Early on, it appears as though teams in the Pac-12 have the edge for the Scottsdale product. Not shockingly, Arizona is one of the primary teams to watch for, while USC is also in the thick of things.
Rivals believes the Tigers are among those that could keep him from returning to the desert though:
"The Trojans recruited Smith heavily out of high school and have already had plenty of success with Longhorns’ transfer during this cycle, while Arizona would be a home-state option that is looking to strengthen their wide receiving corps. Aside from these two, Oregon, Florida State, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Auburn and NC State should also be watched."
Let’s hope Harsin could get Smith on an official visit. While East Central Alabama is a bit of a drive, it’s well worth it for anyone that does it.