When the SEC released its preseason all-SEC teams on July 19, Auburn tight end Rivaldo Fairweather’s name wasn’t found — not on first team, not on second team and not on third team.

The preseason snub came after Fairweather was named to the all-SEC second team at the conclusion of the 2023 season — a season that saw the Auburn tight end lead the Tigers’ receiving efforts with 38 catches for 394 yards.

But Fairweather couldn’t be bothered by it.

“I don’t really pay attention to preseason stuff. A couple people were telling me about it and showing me, but preseason is just what they think is going to happen,” Fairweather told reporters on Tuesday.

Fairweather says he’s spent the last six months “getting his body right,” adding that he’s “toned up a bit.”

“I’ve been grinding this offseason, focusing on making sure I’m in shape (and) having better stamina and stuff like that so I can go out there and play every play and not want to come off the field because my team needs me out there,” Fairweather said.

Fairweather says he’s also put in plenty of work on the JUGS machine, catching upwards of 200 balls a day, preparing himself to have another big year, though the Tigers might not need to lean on him as much as last fall.

Given the improvements to Auburn’s room of wide receivers, Fairweather’s name has fell to the wayside all offseason.

And rightfully so, Fairweather says.

“The wide receivers deserve to be brought up because they really improved. Freshmen came in ready to play, Camden Brown, Cam Coleman, Rob Lewis, they all deserve the glory because it’s a new receiver corps this year,” Fairweather said.

“I feel like that’s going to help me.”

With an improved room of wide receivers, Fairweather believes quarterback Payton Thorne and the Auburn offense now have legitimate weapons out wide, meaning opposing defenses won’t be able to bracket or put safeties over top of Fairweather.

“It kind of makes my job easier,” Fairweather said. “Now we got wideouts out there, guess who’s gonna have to guard me? DBs, the safeties and linebackers going to be on me. It’s going to be an easier job for me when I’m on the inside making plays against the linebackers… Linebackers can’t cover me.”

All that goes to say that while others outside of Auburn’s building may not see another big year in the cards for Fairweather, he knows what he’s capable of.

“I know what’s going to happen. I know that I’m No. 1 in this league and No. 1 in this nation, so I don’t really worry about it,” Fairweather said. “I just put the work in and I’m about to go out there and show it this season.”