The second spring camp of the Hugh Freeze era at Auburn is just around the corner as it’s set to get underway Feb. 27.

The Tigers will then proceed to hold 13 spring practices in preparation of Auburn’s spring game — also known as A-Day — which is set to be played on April 6 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Before spring practices get underway, AL.com will take a position-by-position look at the Tigers’ roster, now taking a look at Auburn’s cornerbacks.

MORE: Spring football in Auburn: Notes and quotes on the safety room ahead of spring camp

Who did the Tigers lose from the cornerback room?

In terms of quantity, Auburn didn’t lose a ton at the cornerback spot. In terms of quality, however? That’s a different story.

Come the 2024 season, the Tigers will be without DJ James and Nehemiah Pritchett ― two guys who are on their way to the NFL after leading Auburn’s room of cornerbacks last fall.

Together, James and Pritchett combined for 60 total tackles, three interceptions and 13 pass breakups.

Who are the Tigers returning to the cornerback room?

The Tigers’ cornerback room is set to return seven familiar faces in 2024, with the biggest return coming in fifth-year senior Keionte Scott, who announced that he’d be returning for his final year of eligibility on Dec. 11.

Scott’s return, however, will look a bit different in 2024 as he intends on moving from inside corner, often called the “star” or nickel back spot, to outside corner.

“Looking forward to being able to be versatile and show my versatility, ultimately,” Scott said of the move.

In returning Scott, Auburn brings back its leading tackler from the defensive backfield as Scott tallied 44 total tackles and five pass breakups in 2023. The Tigers also bring back one of the program’s best player-recruiters and most vocal leaders in Scott.

In addition to Scott, Auburn is also set to return junior Champ Anthony, sophomore Kayin Lee, sophomore JD Rhym, redshirt freshman Colton Hood, redshirt freshman JC Hart and redshirt freshman Tyler Scott.

Though just a rising sophomore, Lee is a guy who quickly turned heads in his first season on The Plains.

“We kind of knew he was going to be a guy just with the way he came in and took on things and adjusted well early. We just felt like he was a guy,” Scott said of Lee after Auburn’s win over Cal on Sept. 9. “Being a freshman and Cal trying to come at him with him being able to defend very well, it just goes to show that he’s ready to go. He’s going to be a valuable player in our defense for sure.”

Lee went on to appear in all 13 games in 2023, tallying 18 tackles and six pass breakups as a freshman.

Anthony is another one who played in all 13 games last season, while Rhym appeared in just four games, meaning he could redshirt after missing time with “personal issues.”

Hood and Hart are two guys who didn’t see a ton of action in 2023, but could contribute in 2024.

Who did the Tigers add to the cornerback room?

Joining Auburn’s room of returners in Auburn’s cornerback room will be sophomore Alabama transfer Antonio Kite and freshmen Jalyn Crawford and A’mon Lane-Ganus.

Kite’s transfer to Auburn, which was announced shortly after the retirement of former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, comes after Kite appeared in seven games during the 2023 season — mostly as a contributor on special teams.

A native of Anniston, Kite was rated a 4-star defensive back out of high school and found himself inside the top 200 players in 247Sports’ composite rankings for the 2022 recruiting cycle.

Meanwhile, the additions of Crawford and Lane-Ganus means the Tigers added another pair of 4-star prospects to their cornerback room — both of which Freeze is excited to have in the fold.

“I’m also excited about our DBs, with (safety Kensley) Faustin and A’mon Lane, and Jalyn Crawford and (safety) Laquon Robinson. And (safety) Kaleb Harris, who’s really physical,” Freeze said during his national signing day press conference on Dec. 20.