Should Auburn Go After Former Texas A&M Defensive Tackle In The Transfer Portal?

Talented defender is entering the Transfer Portal

For any Auburn fan who’s closely following the 2024 depth chart, that individual knows Hugh Freeze and the Tigers need help from the Transfer Portal to find more defensive tackle talent.

Luckily for the Tigers, April 16 through April 30 marks the open window for college football players to transfer. One of them who’s set to hit the Portal, according to Matt Zenitz of 247, would be former Texas A&M nose guard Isaiah Raikes. 

Playing for the Aggies from 2020-2023, he’s a natural run-stopper at 6-foot-1 and 320 pounds. He made a transfer to Southern California but is hitting the market again. 

That would be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Tigers, a team that lacks depth and size up front. From 2023, Pro Football Focus has the following statistics for Raikes.

10 “stops” near the line of scrimmage which results in a failure by the offense, 17 total tackles – including making 89.5% of his possible tackles – 2 sacks, and forcing a fumble. Still, Raikes makes his biggest contribution as the man in the middle that the opposing team must at least consider double-teaming. One cannot teach his natural size and strength.

Look for the Tigers to be active with defensive tackles in the Transfer Portal. Raikes will likely be one of them.