In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News several former Auburn wide receivers have landed at transfer destinations and Auburn football still has needs in the transfer portal
The position group that took the biggest hit when the transfer portal opened was the wide receivers room, with Malcolm Johnson Jr., Omari Kelly, Jyaire Shorter, and Ja'Varrius Johnson all parting ways with the Auburn Tigers. While Johnson Jr., Kelly, and Shorter did not make a massive impact, Johnson led the receivers in yards and touchdowns in 2023.
Though head coach Hugh Freeze and his staff have brought in only one transfer wide receiver so far, former Georgia State WR Robert Lewis, the Tigers signed their best wide receiver class of all time during the early signing period this month.
So far, three of the four transfer wide receivers have committed to new programs. According to On3's transfer portal, Omari Kelly committed to Middle Tennessee on December 18, Jyaire Shorter committed to Memphis on December 20, and Malcolm Johnson Jr. committed to Bowling Green on Christmas Day.
Auburn football biggest needs in the transfer portal
There is plenty of time for the Auburn football coaching staff to add more transfers to the 2024 roster, but the sooner they can get on the Plains and start learning and practicing with the team, the better. Currently, Auburn football has added only three transfers: former Kansas defensive lineman Gage Keys, former Georgia State wide receiver Robert Lewis, and former Duke linebacker Dorian Mausi.
According to Auburn Undercover, the Tigers' biggest need in the transfer portal lies on the defense. With Marcus Harris off to the draft and Justin Rogers considering it, there is a lack of production on the defensive line and a lack of solid experience in the returners.
There are also potential gaps in the secondary with a trio of impact players—DJ James, Nehemiah Pritchett, and Jaylin Simpson—all heading to the pros next year. Overall, the Tigers would like to add more talent on the defense and are also keeping their eyes peeled for wide receivers.