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Auburn football among biggest winners in 2023 transfer portal

The Tigers are gaining attention after such an impressive haul in the portal.
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Auburn had a field day in the transfer portal.

After signing the most four-stars out of anyone in the country (11), national media are starting to shine some more light on Hugh Freeze and the Tigers.

No longer is Auburn flying under the radar. They've added enough talent on paper to be at the very least a tough out this year.

Ralph D. Russo of USA TODAY recently wrote about his biggest winners from the transfer portal this offseason, which included the Tigers. Auburn was listed as a winner alongside USC, Alabama, Miami, Northwestern, and Louisville.

Russo noted that the Tigers had the worst passing attack in the SEC last season (172.7 yards per game) and that Hugh Freeze went out and got as many pieces as he could to revitalize the air attack.

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne has entered the fray as the Tigers' projected starter heading into the offseason. Russo pointed out that despite having a down year in 2022, Thorne still threw more than double the amount of passing touchdowns (19) that Auburn's quarterbacks did combined (nine).

Thorne finished an accomplished quarterback at Michigan State, setting single-season records for total yards, total touchdowns and passing touchdowns. He ranks fifth in career total touchdowns, fifth in career total yards, fourth in career passing touchdowns and third in single-season passing yards.

The Tigers also picked up several high-profile pass catchers to add to the arsenal. Nick Mardner (Cincinnati) and Rivaldo Fairweather (FIU) were two of the bigger names Auburn had landed through the portal early on in the cycle. Then Freeze went out and got former Ohio State receiver Caleb Burton, who was heralded for his blazing speed coming out of high school, North Texas' Jyaire Shorter, who led the nation in yards per catch last year, and Jackson State's Shane Hooks, who led Deion Sanders' JSU team in catches, yards and touchdowns in 2022.

Auburn now has five legitimate pass catchers that are 6-foot-2 or taller:

Nick Mardner: 6-foot-6

Rivaldo Fairweather: 6-foot-4

Shane Hooks: 6-foot-5

Jyaire Shorter: 6-foot-2

Camden Brown: 6-foot-3

Offensive line was also a huge position of need that Jake Thornton and the Tigers filled. Four-star tackles Dillon Wade (Tulsa) and Gunner Britton (Western Kentucky) were the first additions, then center Avery Jones (East Carolina) and guard Jaden Muskrat (Tulsa). South Florida running back and All-American kick returner Brian Battie was the lone backfield piece the Tigers got.

Defensive line and linebacker were the final concerns for Auburn. D-linemen Mosiah Nasili-Kite (Maryland), Lawrence Johnson (Purdue), and former five-star Justin Rogers (Kentucky) were added with defensive ends/EDGE players Elijah McAllister (Vanderbilt), Jalen McLeod (Appalachian State), and Stephen Sings (Liberty).

Linebackers DeMario Tolan (LSU), Austin Keys (Ole Miss), and Larry Nixon III (North Texas) were the final touches on what was the nation's No. 2 transfer portal class.


Michigan State QB transfer Payton Thorne commits to Auburn

New Mexico State transfer CB Syrus Dumas commits to Auburn

Auburn basketball lands transfer wing Chad Baker-Mazara

Auburn football lands former Jackson State WR Shane Hooks

2023 SEC quarterback rankings: KJ Jefferson takes top spot

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