The NCAA transfer portal had a big impact on Auburn football’s roster during this offseason. It should come as no surprise that the Tigers brought in a multitude of transfers after the hiring of head coach Hugh Freeze, who made it clear from the get-go that the portal would be massively important in his first year.
21 transfers have committed to Auburn football so far, and plenty of them are already on campus putting in work. With the variety of talented, experienced players ready to suit up in orange and blue, position battles leading into the fall season are going to be interesting.
One group to keep an eye on is the quarterbacks. With TJ Finley headed to Texas State and former Michigan State QB Payton Thorne transferring in, there will be four quarterbacks competing for the starting job.
Robby Ashford led the offense last season and will likely be Thorne’s biggest competition, but don’t count out redshirt freshman Holden Geriner, who impressed in the Tiger’s rainy A-Day game. Incoming freshman Hank Brown will also be battling for the QB1 spot, though it’s unlikely a true freshman will be tabbed for the job this year.
Another position group to watch is the wide receivers. The Tigers brought in more pass catchers than any other position from the portal in Nick Mardner, Jyaire Shorter, Caleb Burton, and Shane Hooks. The wide receivers have struggled to find success over the past two seasons, but three of the four transfers are seniors, and come to the Plains with proven experience under their belts.
With so many transfers added to the roster, it’s likely that Auburn football’s offense will look pretty different from last year’s, both in personnel and scheme, and it should be interesting to see who breaks into the starting rotation for the Tigers in 2023.