In this recruiting cycle, the NCAA transfer portal is of the utmost important to the Auburn football program, which is going through a transition to a new coaching staff. With a lack of extensive recruiting relationships as an Auburn head coach, Hugh Freeze has taken full advantage of the portal in the 2023 cycle.
The first transfer portal window was between December 5, 2022 and January 18, 2023. College football players have 45 days to declare their intentions to transfer and enter the portal, though they can commit to a school outside of the window.
In those 45 days, Auburn football added 12 transfers to the roster: linebackers DeMario Tolan (LSU) and Austin Keys (Ole Miss); offensive linemen Avery Jones (East Carolina), Gunner Britton (WKU), and Dillon Wade (Tulsa); defensive linemen Justin Rogers (Kentucky), Lawrence Johnson (Purdue), and Mosiah Nasili-Kite (Maryland); edge Elijah McAlister (Vanderbilt); tight end Rivaldo Fairweather (FIU); wide receiver Nick Mardner (Cincinatti); and running back Brian Battie (USF).
Most notably, the Tigers were expected to bring in a transfer quarterback, but that did not transpire in the first window. So when will Freeze and his coaching staff get another shot?
The next transfer portal window will open after spring training on May 1 and close on May 15. The Tigers are likely interested in taking a few more offensive linemen for depth on the roster, especially with the recent departure of Avery Jernigan. Another position group that could be added to is the wide receivers group, which could do with a bit more experience to go alongside the potential talent.
On the defensive side of the ball, it is well known that the linebacker position is one of need for Auburn football, so it would be unsurprising for the coaches to shop the portal for another LB, as well as additional defensive linemen to beef up the trenches.
Spring practice for the Tigers begins this Monday, and the coaching staff will finally be able to evaluate the current players and get a better understanding of portal needs following the 15 allotted practices.