Auburn Tigers News: New receivers impact Rivaldo Fairweather, QB competition update

In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, Rivaldo Fairweather explains the impact of the new wide receivers on his game and Kent Austin gives QB updates

Last year, the Auburn football wide receivers struggled, and tight end Rivaldo Fairweather ended the season as the Tigers' leading pass catcher with 38 receptions for 394 yards. This year, head coach Hugh Freeze and wide receivers coach Marcus Harris sought to fix the wide receiver problem.

With the Freeze 4, headlined by Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson, alongside veteran transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Sam Jackson V — who has a history with Payton Thorne — the Tigers' wide receiver room is significantly revamped heading into the 2024 season. For Fairweather, the added talent is a benefit.

"It kind of makes my job easier," Fairweather said, per Auburn Undercover. "Now we've got wideouts out there, guess who's gonna have to guard me? DBs, the safeties and linebackers are going to be on me. It's going to be an easier job for me when I'm on the inside making plays against the linebackers, and it's going to be great for our offense."

Kent Austin gives QB updates

Heading into the 2024 season, the QB1 job is locked down by returning starter Payton Thorne, but Holden Geriner, Hank Brown, and Walker White are battling it out for the backup position. Auburn Undercover's Nathan King reports that after six days of fall practice, quarterbacks coach Kent Austin expects to trim down the amount of reps soon.

"You can't get four guys ready," Austin said, per Auburn Undercover. "You really can only get two guys ready — and that's marginal when you get into the season. … We need a scrimmage and a few more live periods."

Currently, redshirt sophomore Holden Geriner and redshirt freshman Hank Brown are battling hard for the QB2 spot, and when it comes to true freshman Walker White, Austin is more focused on his development and the transition to college ball.