The transfer portal is open for only four more days, and the Auburn football coaching staff is moving to try to add depth and talent to the roster ahead of the 2023 season. Several positions lost key players following the 2022 season, and head coach Hugh Freeze has consistently said the Tigers are open to adding anyone that will fit the culture and improve the program.
While players do not have to be committed to a new program within the transfer window, they do have to have officially entered their name into the portal during that time.
The Tigers have already offered several transfers, from offensive linemen to wide receivers to linebackers, and now they’re adding another offer to the list. Earlier this week, former James Madison edge Isaac Ukwu entered the portal and just one hour later had an offer from the Auburn football program.
Auburn Offered! @AuburnFootball #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/Mm0YkJ5afg
— ukwu (@isaacukwu) April 25, 2023
Ukwu would have been entering his seventh year with the Dukes and is listed as a graduate student on their website. He started all 11 games in 2022 and was named a First-Team All-Sun Belt defensive lineman. In his last two seasons at James Madison, Ukwu racked up 83 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks for 86 yards, five passes deflected, and three forced fumbles.
With the losses of edge rushers Derick Hall and Eku Leota as well as linebacker Owen Pappoe to the NFL draft, the Tigers are on the hunt for an experienced player that can perform at the jack linebacker position. Ukwu has plenty of experience, put up impressive numbers over the past two seasons, and could be a great fit with Auburn football.
According to Ukwu’s personal Twitter, he has also received offers from Liberty, West Virginia, Ole Miss, Cal, Kansas, USF, and Colorado after entering the portal on Tuesday.