Statistically speaking, what did Auburnâs offense lose and gain in the transfer portal?
When Hugh Freeze first arrived at Auburn, he had no choice but to hit the transfer portal hard as he set out to strengthen Auburn football’s roster, which had been neglected by his predecessor for two seasons.
So Freeze and the Tigers welcomed in more than 20 new faces last offseason.
This time around, however, between what he retained and what he brought in from the high school ranks, Freeze and Auburn’s staff didn’t need to do as much work in the portal. However, he and the Tigers still made a few moves in the portal during the first portal window.
On the offensive side of the football, Auburn lost six players to the portal and added four.
Here’s a look at the statistical impacts of Auburn’s transfer portal moves on the offensive side of the ball:
Who and what did Auburn lose?
QB Robby Ashford
2023 stats: 14-for-27 passing, 145 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 46 carries, 217 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns
Career stats: 137-for-277 passing, 1,758 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 199 carries, 927 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns
WR Ja’Varrius Johnson
2023 stats: 19 receptions, 347 yards, 3 touchdowns
Career stats: 64 receptions, 1,114 yards, 8 touchdowns
WR Omari Kelly
2023 stats: 2 receptions, 45 yards
Career stats: 3 receptions, 56 yards
WR Jyaire Shorter
2023 stats: 1 reception, 10 yards
Career stats: 59 receptions, 1,330 yards, 20 touchdowns
TE Tyler Fromm
2023 stats: 3 receptions, 21 yards
Career stats: 14 receptions, 165 yards, 1 touchdown
Who and what did Auburn gain?
Georgia State WR Robert Lewis
2023 stats: 70 receptions, 877 yards, 7 touchdowns
Career stats: 102 receptions, 1,323 yards, 14 touchdowns
Cal QB Sam Jackson V
2023 stats: 51-for-96 passing, 556 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 26 carries, 59 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
Career stats: 57-for-102 passing, 681 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 41 carries, 138 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns
Note: Jackson will transition to wide receiver for the first time since high school when he arrives to Auburn
Maryland TE Rico Walker
2023 stats: 4 receptions, 27 yards
Career stats: 4 receptions, 27 yards
Mississippi State OL Percy Lewis
2023 stats: 7 starts, 12 game appearances
Career starts: 8 starts, 25 game appearances
How does it all add up?
With what’s come and gone on the offensive side of the football, looking at stats from the 2023 season, Auburn is gaining…
- 411 passing yards
- 3 passing touchdowns
- 49 receptions
- 481 receiving yards
- 4 receiving touchdowns
- 7 starts along the offensive line
With what’s come and gone on the offensive side of the football, looking at stats from the 2023 season, Auburn is losing…
- 188 rushing yards
- 4 rushing touchdowns