Day one of signing is just days away, the transfer portal is hotter than ever, and Auburn is aiming to end 2022 strong and start next year with charging momentum. Hugh Freeze took three commits this weekend, including a few turnovers and a tight handoff.
What’s left on the recruiting track? Where is Auburn with those goals? Let’s break it down.
strategist
Engaged: Keyone Jenkins
Class of 2023: Hank Brown
Transfer: Devin Leary, Grayson McCall
Auburn’s quarterback chamber isn’t losing a major next season. He lost Zach Calzada, who didn’t play any games, and Trey Lindsey, who played one or two games on the senior day.
Other than that, it looks like Robby Ashford is the main candidate to be QB1 next season unless the Tigers pick a better option in the transfer portal.
This is where Devin Leary has his business card. Leary is ranked No. 1 quarterback in the transfer portal and visited Auburn this weekend. Throughout his career at North Carolina State, Leary has held a completion percentage of just over 60%. He threw for over 6,800 yards, had 78 touchdowns and only eight passes were intercepted.
Leary is probably number one. 1 target right now and having him come to campus over the weekend was a big step in closing the deal. He visited Kentucky last week and right now it looks like the two big cat programs are the favorites.
Another transfer option that needed to be visited before encountering an academic problem was the transfer of Coastal Carolina Grayson McCall.
One of college football’s elite passers in recent seasons, McCall has the ability to be the first day like Leary. During his Coastal career, McCall threw for over 8,000 yards, had 78 touchdown attempts and only eight of his passes were intercepted in 780.
It looks like Hank Brown is the last Class of 2023 quarterback that Auburn might consider adding to their class. Brown is committed to Freeze at Liberty, but the Tigers can wait to see what happens in the transfer gate before pursuing Brown more aggressively.
TO COME BACK
Engaged: Jeremiah Cobb
Class of 2023: Jamarion Wilcox
Transfer: Dillon Johnson
With Tank Bigsby leaving for the NFL, it looks like Jarquez Hunter will take on the role of RB1 next season. That leaves Damari Alston and Cobb as the two likely to back Hunter — unless Auburn add another all-rounder to the lineup.
Like Hunter, Dillon Johnson hails from Mississippi. He entered the transfer portal after three seasons at Mississippi State and traveled to Auburn this weekend.
The 6-foot-1 running back has enjoyed his time on the Plains and is looking to make his decision in early January. It’s between Auburn, Louisville, South Carolina and Washington.
Auburn could add another running back to its 2023 class in Jamarion Wilcox, but the Tigers didn’t offer him until recently. Nonetheless, Auburn, Kentucky, Ohio State and Clemson are the bottom four for Wilcox.
WIDE RECEIVER
Engaged: Daquayvious Sorey
Class of 2023: Lamar Seymore, Eric Singleton Jr.
Transfer: Rara Thomas, Don’t Thornton
Auburn has had several committed receivers before, but disengagements from Karmello English and Adam Hopkins left Daquayvious Sorey all alone. Pittsburgh’s Lamar Seymore commitment and Western Kentucky’s Eric Singleton commitment are viable options at the high school level; Singleton is the more likely flip candidate of the two.
Meanwhile, the Tigers targeted Oregon transfer Dont’e Thornton and Mississippi State transfer Rara Thomas from the portal. Both visited Auburn.
TIGHT END
Engaged: Good weather Rivaldo (Transfer)
Class of 2023: Jelani Thurman
Transfer: Good weather Rivaldo
Auburn needed to add at least one tight end to their room, and Fairweather’s commitment on Sunday was a big addition. He had 28 receptions for 426 yards at FIU last season. He also scored three touchdowns.
An instant impact player, Fairweather could end up at No. 1. 1 or No. 2 on the depth chart at the tight end next season.
Jelani Thurman of Langston Hughes High School in Fairburn, Georgia, is the big name to watch at the high school level. He’s committed to Ohio State right now, but the Tigers have done a good job bringing him to campus for multiple weekends throughout the fall.
Still, it will take a lot to get him away from the Buckeyes.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Engaged: Bradyn Carpenter, Wedin clay, Tyler Johnson, Connor Lew,
Class of 2023: Isaiah Jatta (JUCO), Elizabeth Miller (JUCO)
Transfer: Amari Knight, Dillon Wade, Jordan Brown, Ben Scott, Walter Rose
Auburn needs offensive linemen who can play SEC-caliber football right away — or at least be turned into an SEC lineman fast enough to play in Week 1. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that the Tigers are working hard in the portal and with the JUCO players.
Several actors emerged as viable targets. Transfer from Tulsa Dillon Wade played under new offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery when he was head coach at Tulsa. After Wade’s visit to Auburn, it’s between the Tigers and USC.
Ben Scott has Auburn in his top five after visiting over the weekend – along with UCLA, Nebraska, Florida State and Miami. The transfer from Arizona State has three years of starting experience and Auburn loves him as a center, where he played last season for the Sun Devils.
Walter Rouse is a decorated player with a list of accolades from his time at Stanford, where he was a starter for four years. He recently entered the transfer portal and within 48 hours he was on campus at Auburn.
It’s early in his process and there are plenty of schools talking with him, but bringing him to campus so quickly gives Auburn a head start.
Other targets like Alabama transfer Amari Kight and Charlotte transfer Jordan Brown are also on the shelf as potential guys Auburn could sign. The two visited last week.
Meanwhile, two JUCO players are intriguing. Izavion Miller soon makes his final decision and it’s between Auburn and Mississippi State. Isaiah Jatta, who played JUCO ball with current Auburn player Keionte Scott, retired from South Carolina shortly after his visits to Auburn and BYU.
There is potential for Auburn to land a pair of JUCO tackles in the class. It would be a significant development if the Tigers pull it off.
0 Comments