Hugh Freeze has worked diligently to reshape Auburn’s roster since taking over as head coach at the end of November.

He and his staff made a furious push to close out the 2023 recruiting class, climbing to No. 18 in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite team rankings, and they’ve been one of the most active teams in the transfer portal throughout the offseason. The Tigers have added 16 players on the transfer market — the 10th most among FBS teams — with four of those pickups coming since the end of spring practices. While it’s an extensive restocking of the cupboards on the Plains, and while Freeze has addressed several key needs, the work is not done yet.

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Freeze would still like to add up to five more players to the fold this offseason, with Auburn currently sitting at 79 projected scholarship players for the 2023 season, six shy of the NCAA limit.

“We would like another receiver, or two,” Freeze said Wednesday morning before teeing off at the Regions Tradition Pro-Am in Hoover. “Maybe another D-end. Maybe another linebacker, DB. We’re open to—we’re open. I think we’re pretty set at O-line now, and the quarterback room for sure. But we’re always open to looking.”

Auburn’s transfer haul currently ranks fourth in the nation, according to 247Sports. Only Colorado (which is undergoing a complete roster overhaul under Deion Sanders), USC (15 commits, with nine four-star additions) and LSU (12 commits, with eight four-stars) have higher-rated transfer classes this offseason. Among SEC teams, only Ole Miss — with 18 transfer additions — has been more active in the portal than Auburn.

After adding a dozen transfers for the start of spring — including a trio of plug-and-play offensive linemen, two SEC linebackers and a big-bodied tight end, among others — Auburn has picked up four more transfers in recent weeks, including its much sought-after quarterback in former Michigan State starter Payton Thorne.

The post-spring activity began with the commitment of Appalachian State edge rusher Jalen McLeod, who addressed Auburn’s key need at the Jack linebacker spot. McLeod, who had six sacks and eight quarterback hurries last season, is the nation’s sixth-highest graded returning edge rusher according to Pro Football Focus. McLeod graded out at 86.6 off the edge last season, per PFF.

“Incredible pass rusher, which we need desperately, and toughness,” Freeze said of McLeod. “(He) plays the game hard, high motor. Really excited by Jalen.”

Auburn then added Thorne on Friday before picking up a commitment from Ohio State wide receiver transfer Caleb Burton on Saturday. Burton is a former four-star recruit out of Texas high school powerhouse Lake Travis. He redshirted last season in a deep wide receiver room that included Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

“You went by his high school tape, and what he did there, and then trying to stack your classes in that receiver room where you’re not getting all upperclassmen, and this one made sense because his high school tape was pretty dang good,” Freeze said. “Obviously, he was one of the top receivers in the country, went to Ohio State — that room is loaded there — so we base that off of his high school tape and we’re basically getting a freshman.”

Auburn’s latest addition came Tuesday night, when it picked up a commitment from Tulsa offensive lineman Jaden Muskrat. He’s the second Tulsa offensive lineman to join the Tigers this offseason after Dillon Wade arrived in January. Muskrat was Tulsa’s starting right tackle last season but should compete for a starting spot at guard and provide depth at tackle this season.

“He can do both, which is why he was that high for us, of the ones that went into the portal, is I think he can do both,” Freeze said. “Exactly how that looks when we start, I’m not sure yet, but excited to get him.”

There are still holes to fill, even with the post-spring transfer market moving slower than Freeze and his staff anticipated. Another defensive end would help following the departures of Jeffrey M’ba, who transferred to Purdue last month, and Tobechi Okoli. More experience at wide receiver, with some top targets still available, is a priority as well after Tar’Varish Dawson Jr. and Landen King transferred out. Despite high quality at the top of the depth chart at cornerback, with D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett back,Auburn is still thin at that spot and could stand to add another experienced piece to the secondary, while an additional linebacker to replenish that position after three spring departures would also be helpful.

“I’d say probably the first portal period had more depth and talent, maybe,” Freeze said. “But there’s still been some good players in this in this period.

It remains to be seen how things shake out between now and the start of fall camp, and Auburn’s roster will remain a work in progress — but Freeze has thus far done an admirable job in reshaping the roster in a short time, with 45.6 percent of the current roster made up of newcomers, when accounting for 2023 signees and transfers.

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