5 spring transfer portal entries Auburn should pursue
The transfer portal is back open for business and Auburn is in the market for the very best it can find.
Nearly every position is open for the Tigers excluding running back and tight end.
Already, nearly 100 players have entered the portal, three of which being from Auburn (Jeffrey M’ba, Tar’Varish Dawson, Desmond Tisdol).
For the record, Auburn has done its research, and continues to vet every player that dips their toe in the water. Therefore, this will be our best guess at who the Tigers might be looking at, or at least who we think they should be taking a look at.
OL – Jaden Muskrat, Tulsa
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3 307 pounds
Position: Offensive guard or tackle (Played right tackle at Tulsa)
Hometown: Centerton (Ark.) Bentonville West HS
Why Auburn should pursue/is pursuing: Let’s begin with the obvious. Muskrat has now gone public with his offer from the Tigers and has already been retweeted by his former teammate, now Auburn Tiger Dillon Wade.
Muskrat, at this time, seems to be a growing candidate to join the Tigers’ roster. He is listed as a Redshirt junior by Tulsa’s official roster.
Although he has played tackle while at Tulsa, it’s possible he is being looked at as a guard by Auburn. That has not been specified yet, however.
Muskrat graded well during the 2022 season. He appears to be a fairly strong run blocker and has pretty good feet as a pass rusher, but had some inconsistencies. If he moves inside, he should be more comfortable in pass protection.
OG – Emmanuel Pregnon, Wyoming
Height/Weight: 6-foot-6 318
Position: Offensive guard
Hometown: Denver (Col.) Thomas Jefferson HS
Why Auburn should pursue: Pregnon is another interior offensive lineman in the portal. He has already reported offers on his Twitter from UCLA, Indiana, Oregon, Illinois, Minnesota, Purdue, and Arizona.
It is not yet known if Auburn will join that mix, but he is a strong option at a position of need.
Pregnon was highly regarded as a top offensive guard in the country after strong grading during the 2022 season. He is a mauler type as a guard and finishes blocks with intensity.
If Auburn is looking for another NFL type body, Pregnon is that. Most importantly, he’s only listed as a sophomore and has multiple years to play at his next stop.
WR – Brenen Thompson, Texas
Height/Weight: 5-foot-10 163 pounds
Position: Slot wide receiver
Hometown: Spearman (Tex.)
Why Auburn should pursue: Thompson is a former blue-chip talent. He has played in nine games for the Longhorns and has one catch for 32 yards to show for it.
He is an unproven talent at receiver, but has multiple years to play and is already highly regarded in the transfer portal.
Thompson didn’t play much, but was also part of one of the better receiver groups in the country at Texas. With Auburn losing a smaller slot player in Dawson, Thompson might be a nice replacement who could provide early depth and possibly another talent element to the room.
CB – Nikko Reed, Colorado
Height/Weight: 5-foot-10 185 pounds
Position: Cornerback
Hometown: Oakland (Cal.) Moreau Catholic HS
Why Auburn should pursue: Believe it or not, Auburn is in the market for an experienced corner. The corners Auburn has are highly regarded but the group is low on numbers until the freshmen arrive in the summer.
Still, those young players need time and there are some experienced corners available.
How about one that has played exceptionally well to this point in his career. Reed has played in every game he has been a part of at Colorado; he has started 13 of them.
He has recorded 51 tackles, 11 pass breakups, 4 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery and 1 sack in his two years as a Buffalo. He also returned a kick for a touchdown in 2021. 42 tackles, 9 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions came during the 2022 season.
Reed has played against good passing attacks in the Pac-12 and could make a smooth transition to the SEC with at least two years left to play.
OC, Troy Everett, Appalachian State
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3 285
Position: Offensive center
Hometown: Daleville (Va.) Lord Botetourt HS
Why Auburn should pursue: Everett played mostly center for the Mountaineers and started several games there, but he also played some guard as well. He was also a freshman All-American at center in 2022.
He has quickly become one of the most highly regarded new transfers reporting offers from Oklahoma, James Madison, Illinois, Missouri, Maryland, Louisville, Liberty, and Virginia Tech.
If he were to primarily play center, being that he has multiple years of eligibility left, he would be in good position with Auburn losing potential starter Avery Jones after 2023. He could also play guard if needed.
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