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Auburn football: 5 Tigers transfers that will be featured in 2022

By Andrew Hughes

Auburn football will have surprising first-year contributors in 2022 on both sides of the ball. Fly War Eagle has faith in these 5 transfers Mandatory Credit: The Montgomery Advertiser
Auburn football will have surprising first-year contributors in 2022 on both sides of the ball. Fly War Eagle has faith in these 5 transfers Mandatory Credit: The Montgomery Advertiser /
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DJ James is another defector from Oregon that will be relied on in spurts (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
DJ James is another defector from Oregon that will be relied on in spurts (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Oregon-to-Auburn football transfer DJ James

Just as the defense’s front line will be adding an infusion of talent from the Pac-12 runner-up Oregon Ducks, so will the secondary. Fourth-year transfer DJ James could end up being an even more impactful addition than Jones.

James was all over the field for Oregon in his first season starting for the Ducks. During the 2021 season, he racked up 46 tackles and two interceptions, including a game-sealing pick in a key conference matchup against UCLA.

With an NFL talent like Roger McCreary now moved on from the program, new defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding and secondary coach Zac Etheridge will need contributions-by-committee to replace him. James will be a member of that along with Donovan Kaufman.

Craig McDonald will be a relied upon strong safety Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Craig McDonald will be a relied upon strong safety Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Iowa State-to-Auburn football transfer Craig McDonald

Safety is another position that will require new contributors with the loss of Smoke Monday to the NFL, and third-year safety Craig McDonald out of Iowa State may well find himself being called upon to be on the field for the majority of snaps in the defensive backfield.

McDonald is another athlete that will insert himself into the action wherever the ball finds itself on the gridiron, finishing with 41 tackles and two picks himself. Monday was more often called upon to be a FS, so McDonald won’t be directly replacing him in most packages.

Still, Monday was a versatile piece that was movable all around the defensive backfield. McDonald is a key upperclassman addition that will need to provide stability to an important position in a division that includes gunslingers like Will Rogers, KJ Jefferson, and Jaxson Dart.

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