Auburn football is listed among the winners and losers on B/R’s Transfer Portal.

Auburn Football’s Performance on the Transfer Portal: Winners and Losers According to Bleacher Report

The transfer portal has fundamentally transformed college football in recent years, offering players a chance to switch teams and universities without having to sit out a season. This change has had an immense impact on how programs approach roster management, recruiting, and team building. No program is immune to the effects of the portal, and as teams make the most of it, others struggle to find success. Auburn football, a historically strong SEC program, is no exception.

In Bleacher Report’s annual analysis of transfer portal success, Auburn football was prominently featured as one of the programs with both standout successes and notable struggles. The Tigers, under new head coach Hugh Freeze, have had to adjust to a rapidly changing landscape, utilizing the portal to fill immediate needs while also laying the foundation for long-term success. Let’s take an in-depth look at Auburn football’s transfer portal performance, as highlighted by Bleacher Report, focusing on both their achievements and the challenges they’ve faced.

The Rise of the Transfer Portal and Its Impact on Auburn Football

To understand Auburn’s place in the transfer portal landscape, it’s crucial to grasp how the transfer portal works. The portal was introduced in 2018, allowing players to declare their intentions to transfer without the requirement of requesting permission from their current school. This change revolutionized how programs recruited and rebuilt their teams, creating a new avenue for both high school recruits and established college athletes to find new opportunities.

For Auburn football, the portal has been an opportunity for head coach Hugh Freeze to quickly address deficiencies in his roster, particularly in the aftermath of a coaching change. Freeze, known for his offensive acumen, took over the Auburn program following Bryan Harsin’s dismissal after a difficult tenure. Under Freeze, the Tigers have been focused on rebuilding their team, particularly in key positions where they lacked depth or experience. The transfer portal has been instrumental in helping Auburn achieve this, and Bleacher Report’s analysis offers insight into how successful the Tigers have been in leveraging it.

Auburn as a Winner in the Transfer Portal

While there are always risks and challenges associated with the transfer portal, Auburn has made the most of its opportunities. According to Bleacher Report, the Tigers were among the “winners” in the 2024 transfer portal cycle. The following sections delve into why Auburn earned this recognition and how the program benefited from key additions.

1. Addressing the Quarterback Position

One of the most critical areas that Auburn needed to address was the quarterback position. Quarterback play is often the deciding factor in a team’s success, and Auburn’s inconsistency at the position in recent seasons had hampered their ability to compete in the SEC. Enter the transfer portal.

Auburn’s biggest transfer portal success story in 2024 was the acquisition of quarterback Hank Brown from Memphis. Brown, a dual-threat quarterback with a strong arm and an ability to make plays on the run, was a standout at Memphis. His potential to lead Auburn’s offense immediately caught the attention of the coaching staff, and after several months of recruitment, Brown ultimately made the decision to transfer to Auburn.

The addition of Brown gives the Tigers a much-needed boost at quarterback. His ability to extend plays and his experience as a starter in a competitive conference made him an ideal fit for Freeze’s up-tempo, pass-heavy offense. Brown’s arrival allows Freeze to focus on developing a balanced attack that incorporates both the run and pass, creating more opportunities for the Auburn offense.

Moreover, Brown’s decision to transfer to Auburn shows that the program is an attractive destination for high-profile quarterbacks. The Tigers have a rich history of producing talented quarterbacks, and the transfer portal has allowed them to continue that legacy despite a coaching change.

2. Strengthening the Defensive Line

Another area where Auburn has excelled in the portal is the defensive line. The SEC is a league known for its physicality, and Auburn has always prided itself on its tough, aggressive defense. However, in recent years, Auburn’s defensive line had fallen short of the elite standard set by previous iterations of the program.

In the 2024 transfer portal, Auburn added Derrick Hall, a highly-regarded defensive end from Ole Miss. Hall’s ability to generate pressure on the quarterback and disrupt opposing offenses made him an immediate need for Auburn’s defense. With Hall joining the Tigers, Auburn immediately bolstered its pass-rush and defensive front.

Hall’s ability to dominate at the line of scrimmage will be essential for Auburn’s defense moving forward. In the SEC, where elite offensive lines are the norm, having a player like Hall to anchor the defensive front provides Auburn with a much-needed weapon. He brings leadership, experience, and the ability to change the course of a game with his disruptive play.

Auburn also added Jalen Carter, another impactful defensive lineman, through the portal. Carter, a transfer from Florida State, is a physical presence in the interior of the defensive line. His ability to clog running lanes and create pressure on the quarterback will make Auburn’s defense more formidable, especially in SEC matchups where size and strength in the trenches are key.

3. Building Depth at Wide Receiver

Auburn’s offense in 2024 has had its fair share of challenges, particularly in terms of depth at the wide receiver position. After losing several key players to graduation and the NFL draft, the Tigers were in need of new playmakers who could provide an immediate impact.

The transfer portal became a valuable tool for Auburn to fill this void, and Bleacher Report highlighted Auburn’s ability to secure Jaylen Denson, a wide receiver from Arizona State. Denson’s speed and ability to stretch the field made him an immediate asset to Auburn’s offense. With his ability to take the top off opposing defenses, Denson will provide Auburn’s quarterback with a deep threat that can change the course of a game.

Additionally, Auburn added Kamari Anderson from Michigan, a wide receiver who excels in the short to intermediate routes. Anderson’s sharp route running and ability to gain separation make him a perfect complement to Denson’s deep-threat capabilities. With both of these additions, Auburn has bolstered its receiving corps and given its new quarterback, Hank Brown, the weapons he needs to succeed.

4. Impact of the Transfer Portal on Team Chemistry and Culture

While Auburn’s success in the transfer portal has been significant in terms of talent acquisition, there’s another important factor to consider: team chemistry and culture. Bringing in transfers always carries the risk of disrupting the existing locker room dynamic. However, under Hugh Freeze’s leadership, Auburn has done a commendable job of integrating new players into the program.

Auburn’s coaching staff has been intentional about building a team culture that values hard work, accountability, and selflessness. By bringing in players who fit the program’s ethos, Auburn has been able to blend new faces with established players in a way that promotes cohesion and unity. This is key to making the transfer portal a success, as it’s not just about landing the best talent but also ensuring that the new players fit within the larger team framework.

Auburn’s Struggles in the Transfer Portal: Areas for Improvement

Despite being recognized as one of the “winners” in the transfer portal, Auburn did have its share of struggles. While the Tigers made significant gains in certain areas, there were still some positions where the program fell short in attracting top-tier talent.

1. Offensive Line Concerns

One area where Auburn struggled in the transfer portal was in adding depth to the offensive line. Despite addressing several needs, Auburn’s offensive line remains a work in progress. The Tigers have long struggled to maintain a consistent and dominant offensive line, and although they secured a few key recruits through the portal, they were unable to land elite players at this position.

Given the importance of the offensive line in both pass protection and creating running lanes, Auburn’s inability to secure top-tier transfers at this position could hinder their ability to be competitive in the SEC. With the physicality of SEC defenses, Auburn will need to improve its offensive line play in order to succeed against powerhouse teams like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU.

2. The Need for More Linebacker Depth

Another area where Auburn struggled in the transfer portal was linebacker depth. The Tigers did add a few transfers at linebacker, but Bleacher Report noted that they didn’t land the same caliber of talent at this position as they did at other spots on the field. Linebacker play is crucial in a defense that values speed and aggression, and Auburn will need to continue looking for ways to strengthen this unit moving forward.