Saturday Down South's Glenn Sattell interestingly referred to Auburn football transfer portal addition Sam Jackson V as an addition to the Tigers' quarterback room despite being thought of as an addition to the WR room.
"Though prior to the Music City Bowl, Freeze had indicated that he was satisfied with his QB room, but that tune changed following the loss to Maryland," Sattell prefaced before saying, "And Freeze has already made one move in that regard, plucking former Cal QB Sam Jackson V. In a 14-10 loss to Auburn early last season, Jackson threw for 126 yards, completing 14-of-27 passes with 2 interceptions. The sophomore played in 5 games last season for the Bears, throwing for 556 yards and 5 TDs. Quarterback is a position that Freeze must upgrade if the Tigers are to be competitive in 2024."
On3's Justin Hokanson was excited about the Jackson addition in the context of the Cal transfer being a receiver.
"This will be an underrated pickup nationally, but I love it," Hokanson wrote. "People that know Sam Jackson describe him as a 'freak' athlete. Jackson was destined to be a blue-chip WR out of HS, if he remained at the position. Combine that with his knowledge of what a QB wants from his WRs and his close friendship with Payton Thorne, and this is a great pickup in my opinion."
Auburn football quarterback room could use marquee portal addition
Even if Jackson comes to the Plains as a QB, the Naperville teammate of Payton Thorne isn't the kind of marquee addition from the portal the position needs to improve in 2024. Thorne's struggles in the Music City Bowl quelled no doubts about his ability to be AU's offensive leader when Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson and the star-studded 2024 WR class comes to campus.
Hank Brown showed immense potential, and by every account, Walker White's ceiling is similarly high. But the room could also use a marquee portal addition -- think Kaidon Salter -- to inspire confidence for a critical 2024 season in a new-and-improved SEC.