Though the recruiting focus has largely shifted from the class of 2022 to the class of 2023, Auburn football is still looking to add talent to the wide receiver position group following the departure of several key players from last season.
The Tigers’ coaching staff, including new wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard, have turned their attention to the NCAA transfer portal in an effort to add some experience to the WR room. Two transfer portal targets have emerged as spring training comes to a close.
The first is Louisiana Tech transfer Jerrod Means. The wide receiver, nicknamed “Bub”, signed with the Tennessee Volunteers as a 3-star prospect out of high school and saw limited action at defensive back for the Vols as a true freshman.
Following his time on Rocky Top, Means made the move to Louisiana Tech, and had to sit out during the 2020 season in accordance with transfer rules. In 2021, Means caught 22 receptions for 430 yards and two touchdowns. He also played a role on special teams for the Bulldogs, returning 12 kicks for 244 yards.
Auburn Live reports that the wide receiver, who will have three years of eligibility, will be on the Plains for an official visit next weekend.
The Tigers are also pursuing a wide receiver from another SEC school in Texas A&M transfer Caleb Chapman. Auburn football reached out quickly after Chapman entered the portal on April 11. He played four seasons with the Aggies, but had his most successful campaign as a junior in 2021, when he caught 13 receptions for 210 yards in just six games, his longest catch spanning 53 yards.
Should either of the transfer wide receivers end up on the Plains, they would be joining a room that is somewhat lacking in experience, including Shedrick Jackson, Ja’Varrius Johnson, Malcolm Johnson Jr., Tar’Varish Dawson, Ze’Vian Capers, Landen King, and incoming freshmen Jay Fair, Omari Kelly, and Camden Brown.