Statistically speaking, what did Auburn’s offense lose and gain in the transfer portal?

Statistically speaking, what did Auburn’s offense lose and gain in the transfer portal?

When Hugh Freeze first arrived at Auburn, he had no choice but to hit the transfer portal hard as he set out to strengthen Auburn football’s roster, which had been neglected by his predecessor for two seasons.

So Freeze and the Tigers welcomed in more than 20 new faces last offseason.

This time around, however, between what he retained and what he brought in from the high school ranks, Freeze and Auburn’s staff didn’t need to do as much work in the portal. However, he and the Tigers still made a few moves in the portal during the first portal window.

On the offensive side of the football, Auburn lost six players to the portal and added four.

Here’s a look at the statistical impacts of Auburn’s transfer portal moves on the offensive side of the ball:

Who and what did Auburn lose?

QB Robby Ashford

2023 stats: 14-for-27 passing, 145 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 46 carries, 217 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns

Career stats: 137-for-277 passing, 1,758 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 199 carries, 927 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns

WR Ja’Varrius Johnson

2023 stats: 19 receptions, 347 yards, 3 touchdowns

Career stats: 64 receptions, 1,114 yards, 8 touchdowns

WR Omari Kelly

2023 stats: 2 receptions, 45 yards

Career stats: 3 receptions, 56 yards

WR Jyaire Shorter

2023 stats: 1 reception, 10 yards

Career stats: 59 receptions, 1,330 yards, 20 touchdowns

TE Tyler Fromm

2023 stats: 3 receptions, 21 yards

Career stats: 14 receptions, 165 yards, 1 touchdown

Who and what did Auburn gain?

Georgia State WR Robert Lewis

2023 stats: 70 receptions, 877 yards, 7 touchdowns

Career stats: 102 receptions, 1,323 yards, 14 touchdowns

Cal QB Sam Jackson V

2023 stats: 51-for-96 passing, 556 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 26 carries, 59 rushing yards, 1 touchdown

Career stats: 57-for-102 passing, 681 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 41 carries, 138 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns

Note: Jackson will transition to wide receiver for the first time since high school when he arrives to Auburn

Maryland TE Rico Walker

2023 stats: 4 receptions, 27 yards

Career stats: 4 receptions, 27 yards

Mississippi State OL Percy Lewis

2023 stats: 7 starts, 12 game appearances

Career starts: 8 starts, 25 game appearances

How does it all add up?

With what’s come and gone on the offensive side of the football, looking at stats from the 2023 season, Auburn is gaining

  • 411 passing yards
  • 3 passing touchdowns
  • 49 receptions
  • 481 receiving yards
  • 4 receiving touchdowns
  • 7 starts along the offensive line

With what’s come and gone on the offensive side of the football, looking at stats from the 2023 season, Auburn is losing

  • 188 rushing yards
  • 4 rushing touchdowns