In a fascinating late Wednesday night addition, Auburn announced the signing of former Cal quarterback Sam Jackson V as a wide receiver out of the transfer portal.

Jackson faced Auburn in the second game of the 2023 season and threw for 129 yards and two interceptions against Auburn’s defense in Berkeley. Auburn won the game 14-10 on Sept. 9.

Jackson and current Auburn starting quarterback Payton Thorne were high school teammates at Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Illinois.

During a press conference before heading to Nashville for the Music City Bowl set for Saturday, Thorne suggested Auburn was likely to bring in another transfer receiver.

Turns out, it winds up being a receiver he knows quite well.

He initially entered the transfer portal on Dec. 11. ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reported Jackson was not listed as a graduate student.

However, according to an NCAA letter obtained by Yahoo! Sports reporter Ross Dellenger, two-time transfers will be allowed to play next fall without a waiver. Previously, Jackson would have had to be a graduate transfer in order to be eligible to play in 2024.

That is no longer the case.

Jackson began his college career at TCU before transferring to Cal and now comes to Auburn with only three college seasons under his belt and never playing more than five games in a season.

Jackson does not have a reception at either TCU and Cal. Auburn does not appear likely to pursue a quarterback in the transfer portal, seemingly happy with the addition of four-star incoming freshman Walker White to replace Robby Ashford.

Jackson appears on his way to making a full switch away from playing quarterback. Jackson had been named Cal’s starting quarterback to begin the 2023 season.

Matt Cohen covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Matt_Cohen_ or email him at [email protected]