The Auburn football program had an extremely successful signing day under new head coach Hugh Freeze, but the recruiting for the 2023 cycle is not over yet. There are still high school prospects that plan to sign in February, and many transfers are to be looked at in the portal.
So far, Freeze and his coaching staff have taken three transfers out of the portal: former Vanderbilt edge Elijah McAllister, former Tulsa offensive tackle Dillon Wade, and former Florida International tight end Rivaldo Fairweather.
Still, Freeze has said from the beginning that they plan to lean heavily on the transfer portal in year one, so the hunt is still on. One of the transfers that the Tigers have taken an interest in is former Mississippi State running back Dillon Johnson.
Tank Bigsby announced that he will be entering his name into the 2023 NFL Draft, so even with Jarquez Hunter bringing his talent back for another season, the staff is looking for another experienced running back to play alongside him while rising sophomore Damari Alston and incoming freshman Jeremiah Cobb continue to learn and work their way up.
According to Auburn Undercover, Dillon Johnson officially visited the Plains earlier this month and liked what he saw:
"Insert Mississippi State transfer Dillon Johnson, who visited before the dead period and Auburn is trending in the right direction with. Johnson is an experienced pass-catcher from his time in Mike Leach’s offense and is a physical runner, too. He’s about perfect for what Auburn is looking for and someone who could fit in well with Freeze’s system."
Johnson plans to make a final decision on January 3, according to Kieth Niebuhr of Auburn Live, and it will all come down to Auburn football, Louisville, South Carolina, or a possible return to Mississippi State.