Auburn football hosts Cincinnati transfer edge for official visit

With just several days left in the spring transfer portal window, the Auburn football program is hunting for players to bring depth and talent to the 2023 roster. Several positions are in need of help according to head coach Hugh Freeze, and one of the Tigers’ top priorities remains to find a transfer quarterback.

Another position of need is the jack linebacker position. Freeze has said the team is “deficient in true pass rushers” and is looking for help at that defensive spot, especially with the losses of Derick Hall and Eku Leota. The Tigers also had several reserve linebackers hit the portal earlier this year, including Desmond Tisdol, Kameron Brown, and Powell Gordon.

One transfer of interest for the Tigers is edge Jaheim Thomas, who entered the portal on April 16 right after the spring window opened. In 2022, the redshirt sophomore ranked third on the team with 70 tackles and second in tackles for loss with 6.5. He also had two sacks for 17 yards.

PFF considers Thomas to be one of the best players available in the transfer portal right now, and he is expected to visit several Power 5 schools in addition to Auburn. The edge arrived on the Plains this weekend for an official visit and definitely fits the criteria that Hugh Freeze and linebackers coach Josh Aldridge are looking for to add to the team.

Thomas was a 4-star out of high school from Cincinnati, OH, and was ranked as the #22 OLB and the #6 prospect out of the state of Ohio. He ultimately chose to stay home and play with the Bearcats over going to Wisconsin, LSU, Michigan State, and other programs.

While Thomas clearly has a few programs to choose from when it comes to a transfer destination, he is definitely needed on the Auburn football team and would be able to compete for immediate playtime should he choose the Tigers.