54 | 2023 SOUTHERN FOOTBALL GUIDE
AUBURN
HEAD COACH: Hugh Freeze OC: Philip Montgomery DC: Ron Roberts
Auburn, AL
2022 RECORD: 5-7 (2-6) FOUNDED: 1856 STADIUM: Jordan-Hare (87,451)
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
Typically, these days, when a new coach takes over a program, a slew of new players come with him through the transfer portal. That is certainly the case with Auburn, who projects to have seven transfers start on offense. Hugh Freeze has imported a new quarterback, a running back, an entire receiving corps and three offensive linemen. Payton Thorne competes with Robby Ashford at quarterback after throwing for 5,911 yards and 46 TDs over two seasons at Michigan State. Ja’Varrius Johnson is still around after catching 26 passes for 493 yards. Shane Hooks (Jackson State) is a tall, fast, matchup problem, and Jyaire Shorter (North Texas) scored 11 times on 23 receptions. Jarquez Hunter is the feature back, but Brian Battie had 1,185 yards for South Florida last season. Avery Jones (East Carolina), Dillon Wade (Tulsa) and Gunner Britton (WKU) bring instant credibility to the line.
There could be as many as five transfers starting for the defense—all among the front seven—after the unit struggled last season. Auburn allowed opponents to convert 42.5 percent on third down, and the Tigers had just 26 sacks and forced only 13 turnovers. Cam Riley, the second-leading tackler last season will likely be beaten out by transfers Larry Nixon III (North Texas) and Austin Keys (Ole Miss). Justin Rogers from Kentucky, who projects as first team All-SEC, is the best acquisition. He’s active and plugs the middle extremely well. Mosiah Nasili-Kite from Maryland will work alongside Rogers. Jalen McLeod (App State) should ensure the sack total increases in 2023. The secondary didn’t need the portal to be good. Corners Nehemiah Pritchett and D.J. James are NFL talents. Jaylin Simpson and Keionte Scott may line up just about anywhere, and produce.
DEPTH CHART
DEPTH CHART
NO 1 27 11 6 14 13 52 77 66 54 53
PLAYER Payton Thorne Jarquez Hunter Shane Hooks Ja’Varrius Johnson Jyaire Shorter Rivaldo Fairweather Dillon Wade Jeremiah Wright Avery Jones Tate Johnson Gunner Britton
POS QB RB WR WR WR TE LT LG C RG RT
HT 6-2 5-10 6-4 5-10 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-6
WT 203 212 191 167 209 249 307 338 307 302 312
CLASS JR JR SR SR SR JR JR JR SR JR SR
NO 50 52 33 35 30 12 1 4 36 10 6
PLAYER POS Marcus Harris DE Justin Rogers NT Mosiah Nasili-Kite DT Jalen McLeod Edge Larry Nixon III LB Austin Keys LB Nehemiah Pritchett CB D.J. James CB Jaylin Simpson S Zion Puckett S Keionte Scott NB
HT 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-0
WT 294 346 285 237 231 237 182 164 178 227 188
CLASS SR JR SR JR SR JR SR SR SR SR JR
9 22 4 0 10 85 74 62 75 63 72
Robby Ashford Damari Alston Camden Brown Koy Moore Caleb Burton III Tyler Fromm Garner Langlo Kam Stutts Connor Lew Jaden Muskrat Izavion Miller
QB RB WR WR WR TE LT LG C RG RT
6-3 5-10 6-3 6-1 5-11 6-5 6-6 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-5
218 209 203 198 171 241 297 343 290 302 318
SO SO SO JR FR SR SO SR FR JR JR
15 99 91 11 13 32 3 23 14 20 5
Keldric Faulk Jayson Jones Zykeivous Walker Elijah McAllister Cam Riley Wesley Steiner Kayin Lee J.D. Rhym Marquise Gilbert Cayden Bridges Donovan Kaufman
6-6 6-6 6-4 6-6 6-5 6-0 5-11 6-1 6-2 6-2 5-10
281 338 294 271 242 245 181 181 188 221 205
FR JR JR SR JR SR FR SO JR SO JR
38 91
Alex McPherson Oscar Chapman
150 202
FR SR
21 6
Brian Battle Ja’Varrius Johnson
170 167
JR SR
SPECIAL TEAMS K P
5-9 6-3
2023 SCHEDULE S.2 ......................................UMass
O.21 ..............................Ole Miss
S.9 ........................................at Cal
O.28 ..............Mississippi State
S.16 ...............................Samford
N.4 ........................ at Vanderbilt
S.23 ..................... at Texas A&M
N.11 ........................at Arkansas
S.30 ................................Georgia
N.18 ...........New Mexico State
O.14 ..................................at LSU
N.25 .............................Alabama
DE NT DT Edge LB LB CB CB S S NB
SPECIAL TEAMS KR PR
5-7 5-10
NEWCOMERS Payton Thorne, QB — Offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery wants to crank up the offense and throw it deep, and Thorne is just the man for the job. Rivaldo Fairweather, TE — The big, fast tight end from FIU can get deep and has terrific hands. Keldric Faulk, DL — The freshman will get on the field this season and could become a permanent fixture in the starting lineup.
