Auburn football's most valuable players in 2023: No. 3 Dillon Wade

Wade will be a very valuable offensive tackle for the Tigers this season.

We continue our countdown towards Auburn's 2023 season with a ranking of their most valuable players.

Offensive tackle Dillon Wade is No. 3 in our top 25.

Dillon Wade's Bio

- 6-foot-3

- 307 pounds

- Junior

- Previous School: Tulsa

Auburn desperately needed help at the tackle position, and Wade's addition at right tackle is extremely valuable.

After looking at some numbers on PFF, here are a few things worth noting about Wade's game.

He took a huge step forward in playing time from 2021 to 2022. During the 2021 season, Wade played 39 snaps on offense. This past year, Wade became a full-time starter and played 818 snaps.

In 2021, 37 of his 39 snaps were at right tackle. The other two were at an inline tight end. In 2022, 816 snaps were at left tackle. The other two were at inline tight end. He also played 45 snaps on the field goal unit.

Wade's PFF offensive grade for the 2022 season was 66.4. His pass block grade for the season was 66.7. The run-blocking grade was 67.2.

His biggest jump from 2021 to 2022 came in the pass-blocking category. In 2021, he graded out at 36.1 in pass protection. That jumped to 66.7 this past year. Run blocking appears to be Wade's biggest strength when it comes to PFF. 

Auburn will likely be a run-first team under Freeze this season, and Wade's abilities play right into that offensive strength.

Auburn football's most valuable players in 2023:

4. Jarquez Hunter, RB

5. Jayson Jones, DT

6. Avery Jones, C

7. Nehemiah Pritchett, CB

8. Gunner Britton, OL

9. Shane Hooks, WR

10. Alex McPherson, K

11. Larry Nixon III, LB

12. Rivaldo Fairweather, TE

13. Cam Riley, LB

14. Justin Rogers, DL

15. Keionte Scott, CB

16. Jyaire Shorter, WR

17. Elijah McAllister, JACK

18. Koy Moore, WR

19. Kam Stutts, OL

20. Ja’Varrius Johnson, WR

21. Austin Keys, LB

22. Zion Puckett, S

23. Camden Brown, WR

24. Marcus Harris, DL

25. Robby Ashford, QB

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