Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze didn’t waste time since he got hired in December 2022 to replace former Tigers head coach Bryan Harsin. Freeze rebuilt the Tiger coaching staff and is now working on the roster.

Freeze knew the Tigers would have several prominent players leaving the program via graduation, the National Football League, and the transfer portal.

Offensive linemen Nick Brahms, Austin Troxell, and Brandon Council are among the experienced athletes departing the program, leaving the Tigers with a need to replace depth on a critical unit. Freeze emphasized rebuilding the offensive line, and that’s where AL.com will start our list of players who could have an immediate impact at Auburn from the transfer portal.

Read More Auburn Football: Auburn sets date for 2023 A-Day spring game

Meet Hugh Freeze’s 2023 Auburn football coaching staff

Where things stand with Auburn’s roster, positions of need in transfer portal after busy weekend

There are still about 12 hours left in the early window of the portal as of the publication of this article, but here are five players that fans should expect to see on the field this fall at Jordan-Hare.

Avery Jones C 6′4 305 (East Carolina)

One of Auburn’s most significant struggles during the 2022 season was inconsistency at the center position. The Tigers never quite recovered from losing Brahms to medical retirement a few weeks before the season. Tate Johnson and Council took most of the snaps in place of Brahms, but the absence of an experienced center glared on a team that, at times, was stagnant offensively.

Jones started every game last season at East Carolina and 11 of 12 the previous year for the Pirates. Expect him to anchor the Tiger offensive line that wants to improve run blocking and pass protection.

Dillon Wade OT 6′4 290 (Tulsa)

Wade played over 800 snaps last season at Tulsa under former head coach and new Auburn offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery. Getting through over 800 plays on the offensive line and staying healthy could provide critical dependability for the Tigers.

Rivaldo Fairweather TE 6′5 210 (Florida International University)

John Samuel Shenker is leaving as one of the more productive tight ends for the Tigers after a six-year career on the Plains. Replacing the former team captain is a challenge that Freeze hopes Fairweather can address this season.

Fairweather had 28 catches for 426 yards and three touchdowns during the 2022 season. He averaged 15.2 yards per reception. He played 22 games over three seasons for the Panthers and posted 54 receptions for 838 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 15.5 yards per catch.

Brian Battie RB 5′8 165 (University of South Florida)

Tank Bigsby leaving Auburn for the NFL Draft leaves a hole in the running back room. Battie rushed for 1,186 yards on 176 touches and eight touchdowns last season and could pair well with Tiger tailback Jarquez Hunter as the team seeks to replace Bigsby’s production.

Battie was also a consensus All-American kick returner in 2021, earning first-team honors from Walter Camp, FWAA, Phil Steele, Pro Football Network, Action Network, and Bleacher Report. He tallied three return touchdowns and 650 yards last season. Look for Auburn to utilize Battie in several ways.

Gunner Britton OT 6′6 306 (Western Kentucky)

Britton played 55 games for the Hilltoppers from 2019-22 after his 2018 freshman redshirt season. He started every game last season, including a Western Kentucky loss against Auburn at Jordan-Hare. 247 Sports had Britton as the fifth-best player at his position in the transfer portal. Adding Britton, Wade, and Jones gives the Tigers several experienced players on the offensive line.