Throughout his tenure at Auburn, Hugh Freeze has made it abundantly evident that he and his staff prioritize high school recruiting in their efforts to get the Tigers back to a position where they can challenge for championships.
It can be tempting to take the short fix and build up an experienced roster, especially in the portal era where teams can change who they are on the fly and even establish themselves as transfer hotspots.
However, Auburn hopes to reenter the realm of recruitment and development, which is how the finest college football teams achieve their success. For the first time in a number of years, placing in the top-10 class was a significant step in that direction, particularly after the Tigers struggled on the field late in the 2023.
But that doesn’t mean Auburn is ignoring the gateway altogether. The Tigers signed nine FBS transfers during the first (and larger) winter window: Robert Lewis, a wide receiver; Sam Jackson V, a quarterback who turned receiver; Rico Walker, a tight end; Percy Lewis, a left tackle; Gage Keys and Trill Carter, defensive tackles; Dorian Mausi Jr., a linebacker; Antonio Kite, a cornerback; and Jerrin Thompson, a safety.
For the most part, those transfers will have an opportunity to start or be in the starting lineup at their positions come autumn. It’s critical to obtain them in the first window so they can benefit from a complete offseason of work and spring practices.
But the best time to polish a roster is during the second (and smaller) spring window. Completing the roster through the portal will be necessary as there is currently no way to sign additional high school players. After determining their position during spring workouts, players can use the portal to select a new home.
The second window for transfers will open on Tuesday and end on April 30, which is two weeks later. Although they must be in the portal by that date in order to be eligible for the 2024 season, they are not required to make final decisions by that date.
