Auburn’s latest transfer portal addition is a former All-American and 1,000-yard rusher.

Former South Florida running back and return specialist Brian Battie committed to Auburn on Monday afternoon after taking a visit to the Plains during the weekend. Battie is the ninth transfer addition for first-year coach Hugh Freeze and the second of the day for Auburn, which added Cincinnati wide receiver transfer Nick Mardner earlier Monday afternoon.

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Battie joins an Auburn backfield that returns second-leading rusher Jarquez Hunter but must replace leading rusher Tank Bigsby. The Tigers also return sophomores Damari Alston and Sean Jackson, and they hold a commitment from four-star 2023 back Jeremiah Cobb, who is expected to sign in February.

During his three years at USF, Battie ran for 1,842 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 6.6 yards per attempt. Much of that came this past fall, when Battie became the featured back in the Bulls’ offense. He rushed for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior while averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He finished the season as the third-leading rusher in the AAC.

Along with his breakout junior campaign in the backfield, the 5-foot-8, 165-pounder excelled as a return specialist during his time at USF. He was a consensus All-American kick returner as a sophomore in 2021, when he averaged 32.5 yards per return on 20 attempts, with three kicks returned for touchdowns. His three kick return touchdowns were most in the nation.

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.