The spring transfer portal window has closed. What did Auburn football gain, lose?
2025-04-26T08:02:20Z
The NCAA’s spring transfer portal window closed Friday. Here’s a look at what Auburn football, gained, lost and what it can do moving forward.
AUBURN — The offseason is finally settling down for Auburn football.
Even without a postseason appearance, Hugh Freeze and the Tigers swung right into a month-long winter transfer portal window after a season-ending Iron Bowl loss, then saw little time to breath before spring practices, and that was immediately succeeded by another transfer window.
But that’s all over now, as the NCAA spring transfer portal window closed Friday. There won’t be any more going for the Tigers, or any other program, but Freeze and his staff will still be able to add to their roster with those who remain in the portal.
What Auburn did during the weeks-long window was rather minimal, at least in comparison. During the first window, it added 15 players and saw 16 go. This month, Auburn had seven departures and just four additions.
As transfer season comes to a close, here’s an in-depth look at how Auburn handled the latest window, and what could still transpire.
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What did Auburn football gain in the transfer portal?
The latest transfer window felt somewhere between quiet and calculated for Auburn. While it only added four transfers, each was at a position of need. Maryland transfer Caleb Wheatland looks likely to compete for a starting role, as does Tulane transfer Rayshawn Pleasant, both in the secondary and on special teams.
Auburn football: Spring transfer portal additions DL James Ash (Florida A&M) 2024 (12 games): 44 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup DL Jay Hardy (Liberty) 2024 stats (7 games): 7 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass breakup LB Caleb Wheatland (Maryland) 2024 stats (11 games): 42 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery CB Rayshawn Pleasant (Tulane) 2024 stats (13 games): 35 total tackles, 3 pass breakups, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 1 defensive touchdown; 449 kick return yards (34.5 YPR), 13 returns, 2 kick return touchdowns
What did Auburn football lose in the transfer portal?
Much like Auburn’s attrition in the winter window, its spring departures out-numbered its gains. That doesn’t necessarily mean it lost vital pieces.
Reserve offensive lineman Bradyn Joiner was perhaps the biggest departure after starting a string of games last fall, but winter portal additions made his path to the field in 2025 uncertain, and the same could be said for all four of Auburn’s defensive back departures.
Auburn football: Spring transfer portal departures TE Rico Walker New school: TBA Auburn stats (2024): N/A (5 games) OL Bradyn Joiner New school: Purdue Auburn stats (2023-24): 4 starts, 486 total snaps (9 games) OL Jaden Muskrat New school: TBA Auburn stats (2023-24): 247 total snaps (15 games) CB JC Hart New school: Utah Auburn stats (2023-24): 5 total tackles (15 games) CB Tyler Scott New school: Georgia State Auburn stats (2023-24): 2 total tackles (4 games) S CJ Johnson New school: TBA Auburn stats (2023-24): DNP S Terrance Love New school: Colorado Auburn stats (2023-24): 7 total tackles, 1 pass breakup (21 games)
Where does Auburn football’s roster stand? What can Hugh Freeze and his staff do moving forward?
While Auburn addressed some key needs — defensive line depth, and a quality defensive back and linebacker among them — there are still some holes in need of filling. With what was lost to the portal, depth pieces in the secondary and at tight end would be ideal, with the former bridging on vital, as the Tigers have just six healthy scholarship cornerbacks rostered.
Auburn will still be able to add to its roster after Friday, however, few if any available pieces project as plug-and-play pieces.
Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email atacole@gannett.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter,@colereporter.
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