The impacts of FIU transfer tight end Rivaldo Fairweather weren’t immediately seen by the public.

In Week 1 of Auburn’s 2023 season, Fairweather slipped on an Auburn jersey for the time as the Tigers hosted UMass.

But because Auburn’s rush attack had its way with UMass, the services of Fairweather weren’t needed.

However, that quickly changed as the Tigers looked to Fairweather the very next week as Auburn squeaked out a 14-10 win over Cal in a funky, late-night game out on the west coast.

Fairweather caught three passes that evening in Berkeley, Calif., of which two came at critical, critical moments – first a third-down grab in the fourth quarter to keep the Tigers’ scoring drive alive and then again with a 5-yard touchdown reception to put Auburn ahead for good midway through the final quarter.

Initially, the plan was to try to punch it in via the run game. But Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze decided otherwise right as the huddle was breaking out of a timeout.

“Nah, let’s go 13 and give Rivaldo a chance here,” Freeze remembered saying. “I had just seen Rivaldo do that too many times in practice. The last thing was I told Payton, ‘Just make sure it’s catchable, and he’ll make a play.’ And he did.”

Fairweather’s breakout performance against the Golden Bears on Sept. 9 might’ve been his first in his Auburn career, but it was far from his last.

The very next week, albeit against Samford, Fairweather hauled in season-best five passes.

However, coming from Conference USA member FIU, no one knew if Auburn’s transfer tight end would be able to hang with the best of them in the SEC.

“I’m ready to show everybody out there that I can do it versus anybody,” Fairweather told reporters heading into SEC play.

Unfortunately for Fairweather, he’d have to wait a bit as Auburn’s passing game floundered and the Tigers suffered a four-game skid as they navigated a gauntlet-of-a-stretch of games featuring Texas A&M, Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss.

Through that stretch, Fairweather combined for 13 receptions, 88 yards and just one score.

Come the point in the season Auburn’s schedule softened some and the Tigers’ passing offense began to find its footing a bit more, Fairweather took hold of the opportunity.

Against Vanderbilt on Nov. 4, Fairweather racked up the most yardage of any game in 2023 with two receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown.

On Nov. 11, Fairweather assisted in Auburn’s onslaught at Arkansas as he notched his first multi-touchdown game against the Razorbacks as he caught three passes for 28 yards and two touchdowns.

“I proved that I could do it in the SEC,” Fairweather said Saturday night after Auburn’s season-ending loss to Maryland. “Even coming from Conference USA, I proved that I could play in this league and I proved that I’m one of the best tight ends in the league.”

In Year 1 on The Plains, Fairweather finished the season with 38 receptions for 394 yards and six touchdowns – all numbers that led Auburn’s room of pass catchers and make him the SEC’s third-leading receiving tight end.

In the final game of the 2023 season, Fairweather also etched his way into Auburn’s record books.

With his first reception against the Terrapins in Saturday’s Music City Bowl, Fairweather broke John Samuel Shenker’s 2021 record of 33 receptions in one season.

“I wish we would have come out of here with a win,” Fairweather said after Auburn’s 31-13 loss to Maryland. “I want to thank God for allowing me to play this game and be a part of Auburn history. I’m going to put my head down and work the whole offseason and be ready for the first game next year.”

Now having proved himself in SEC play, the 6-foot-4 tight end could’ve flirted with the NFL and the league could’ve flirted right back.

But Fairweather’s not interested.

“I just felt like I left a lot of food on the table. It’s unfinished business here,” Fairweather said when asked about his decision to return to Auburn in 2024. “I know Coach Freeze has a great plan for us here and that we will be way better than we were last year. Last year was just the first step and this year I feel like we’re going to take a second step.”

And for Fairweather, personally, he’s hoping that second step starts now.

“Coming next season I’m (going to) come back 10 times harder to be the best tight end in the nation,” Fairweather said. “That’s my mindset going in this offseason. I’m going to have a heck of an offseason.”