Auburn position unit ranking: No. 2, Tight End
The Auburn football roster added several important pieces over the offseason. Hugh Freeze and his staff saw holes in the roster that they inherited and did a good job of filling them to be more competitive in 2023. With the summer lull comes ranking season.
After taking a look back at the roster enhancements and the returning players at each position, I have ranked the position units going into fall camp. We will revisit these rankings following fall camp just before the start of the season. There is a good chance some things change when all of the new additions hit the field.
The tight end group comes in at No. 2 in the ranking.
— AUBURN POSITION UNIT RANKING: NO. 10, SAFETY/NICKEL
— AUBURN POSITION UNIT RANKING: NO. 9, LINEBACKER
— AUBURN POSITION UNIT RANKING: NO. 8, JACK/EDGE
— AUBURN POSITION UNIT RANKING: NO. 7, DEFENSIVE LINE
— AUBURN POSITION UNIT RANKING: NO. 6, WIDE RECEIVER
— AUBURN POSITION UNIT RANKING: NO. 5, CORNER
— AUBURN POSITION UNIT RANKING: NO. 4, QUARTERBACK
— AUBURN POSITION UNIT RANKING: NO. 3, OFFENSIVE LINE
Potential starters
— Rivaldo Fairweather – It is rather wild that the most veteran group will have a newcomer as the starter. The good news for the veterans who have played for Auburn for years is that Fairweather we have his own role in the offense. He will be a flex between tight end and receiver. Auburn has not had a player with Fairweather’s skill set since.. Well, I’m not sure if there has been one like him.
— Luke Deal – It is my opinion that Deal is the single most underrated player on the team. Knowing how Freeze and Montgomery like to use a blocking back in the Gun, Deal would probably be perfect for that in certain situations. He is an extra lineman on the field when attached to the line of scrimmage. As far as technique and winning against his opponent, Deal may be the best single-man blocker on the team, and that includes the offensive line. Also, he typically comes down with the ball on the rare occasion he is thrown to.
First off the bench
— Tyler Fromm – The tight end group has been very loyal to Auburn. Fromm is another one who stuck around even though he was used sparingly at times. That should be the case again. With the addition of Fairweather, he probably will not be thrown to as much. He can make plays in the passing game and has become a better blocker as well. Fromm should help Auburn in many ways in 2023.
Reserves
— Micah Riley-Ducker – Even though he is listed in the reserves group, Riley-Ducker is highly thought of for his physicality, his ability to block in the open field, and his improvement as a receiver. He will have a role at some capacity. He may even be a good choice to be a lead blocker for the run game in the Gun.
— Brandon Frazier – Frazier has been unable to live up to his ranking, but he has been solid when used. He will be used when Auburn wants to go heavy. He will be unable to break into the playing rotation to often at this point with the others ahead of him.
Reason for ranking
The tight end group is the most veteran group on the team as it pertains to Auburn. Between Fromm, Deal, and Frazier, hardly anyone knows the ropes as much as them.
Auburn tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua has confidence and excitement in his room. He will have a role for each guy with Fairweather having a specialized role.
Each player is capable of playing sound, tough football. Deal is an unspoken hero in the run game and Fromm can help out in several areas. Coaches are all excited to see Riley-Ducker in action as well.
Fairweather really brought up the talent level in the room. He is a big play threat in the passing game. Without him, the group would have fallen back a couple of spots in this ranking.
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