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Transfer Portal Tracker: Which Auburn players are leaving the Plains

jd mccarthy
·5 min read

Transfer portal season is here and every team in the country is set to have some roster turnover.

The portal will be open from Dec. 4, 2023, until Jan. 2, 2024, but players are already declaring their intentions to enter.

The Auburn Tigers are no different and Hugh Freeze shared his thoughts on how he will handle players considering entering the portal.

“The only way I know to be is totally transparent and tell them the truth. The truth for some is ‘your chances to play here are probably slim.’ The truth for others is ‘man, there is an element of patience that needs to be involved in your decision. You’re going to be really good if you can just be patient and not listen to the voices that want immediate gratification.’ Certainly, you’ve got the money aspect that’s involved in all of this now. I think you should choose the place, the culture and the environment that’s going to develop you for the long term, for the long haul. I think everything is better when you’re in that environment for yourself. But some need to have patience and other discussions are just going to be truthful with how we see you fitting into this roster.”

Here is a look at the Auburn players who have announced they will be entering the transfer portal.

DL Enyce Sledge

Sledge was the first Auburn player to announce his intentions to enter the portal. The former three-star recruit appeared in three games in his two seasons on the Plains and will have three seasons of eligibility at his next school.

Update: He committed to Illinois on Dec. 9.

DL Stephen Johnson

Johnson did not see the field in his one season on the Plains and will have four seasons of eligibility at his next school. He was a late addition to Auburn’s 2023 recruiting class after flipping his commitment from Arkansas.

WR Omari Kelly

Kelly was the first offensive player to announce his intentions to enter the portal. He was unable to carve out a consistent role for himself in a crowded wide receiver room, playing just 131 snaps and catching two passes for 45 yards as a sophomore.

EDGE Stephen Sings V

Sings announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Monday, Dec. 4. Sings played for Hugh Freeze at Liberty before following him to the Plains. He recorded six tackles with two quarterback hurries for the Tigers during the 2023 season.

WR Jyaire Shorter

Shorter announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Monday, Dec. 4 after spending one season on the Plains. The veteran wide receiver started his career at North Texas where he was a big play threat. He struggled to crack the rotation in his time on the Plains, finishing with one catch for 10 yards in seven appearances.

WR Malcolm Johnson Jr.

Johnson signed with Auburn in 2020 as a four-star prospect under Gus Malzahn. The speedster caught 14 for 199 yards and one touchdown in his four seasons on the Plains after redshirting as a freshman.

TE Tyler Fromm

Fromm came to Auburn as part of the 2019 recruiting class and will have one season of eligibility at his next school. His biggest moment was his wild cath-and-run at LSU in 2021, which secured their first win in Baton Rouge since 1999.

S Marquise Gilbert

Gilbert came to Auburn in 2022 as the top JUCO safety in the country after spending two seasons at Hutchinson C.C. He appeared in 10 games, making two tackles during his two seasons on the Plains.

DL Wilky Denaud

Denaud spent just one season on the Plains and is the first member of Auburn’s 2023 recruiting class to enter the portal. He did not see the field during his time at Auburn and will have four seasons of eligibility at his next school.

S Austin Ausberry

Ausberry spent time at both safety and corner in his two seasons at Auburn, making two tackles in seven appearances. He was a four-star prospect in Auburn’s 2022 recruiting class.

QB Robby Ashford

Ashford spent two seasons at Auburn after starting his career as an Oregon Duck. He started nine games in 2022 but lost the starting job to Payton Thorne ahead of the 2023 season. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining at his next school.

WR Ja'Varrius Johnson

Johnson battled injuries throughout his time at Auburn but was the Tigers’ top receiver in 2023, catching 19 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. To this point, he is Auburn’s biggest loss to the portal as he will spend his final season of college football elsewhere.

Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire