With action in the transfer portal slowing down, it is time to take a closer look at how each P4 school did during this cycle. Up now are the Auburn Tigers
The skinny: Head coach Hugh Freeze’s return to the SEC was somewhat of a roller coaster ride which ended with a 6-7 record and a loss in the Music City Bowl to Maryland. Now he is in the midst of roster replenishment, which has been successful during this cycle with the loss of only a few contributors and the addition of several players who should be vital in 2024.
Total # entries into portal: 27
Total # of scholarship players who entered portal: 22
Number of scholarship players who withdrew: 1
Key losses: WR Jay Fair (USC), LB Cam Riley (Florida State), DB Donovan Kaufman (NC State), WR Ja’Varrius Johnson (UCF)
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Key additions: DB Jerrin Thompson (Texas), DE Keyron Crawford (Arkansas State), WR Robert Lewis (Georgia State), DL Philip Blidi (Indiana), OL Percy Lewis (Mississippi State), WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Penn State)
Final thoughts: Overall, when you look at the Auburn transfer departures and arrivals during this cycle, there is reason for optimism. The wide receiver position took a bit of a hit with the transfers of Jay Fair and Ja’Varrius Johnson, but adding Robert Lewis and KeAndre Lambert-Smith nullified those losses. DB Jerrin Thompson, DE Keyron Crawford and DL Philip Blidi will all strengthen the defense, while Percy Lewis is a likely immediate starter on the offensive line. The Tigers aren’t ready to threaten the big boys of the SEC, but they made a step in the right direction during this off-season.
