Hugh Freeze breaks down which positions he's targeting in NCAA transfer portal

The NCAA transfer portal has become a way of life in college football, especially so for first-year coaches looking to replenish their roster and add talent to fix gaps that showed up as the previous coach departed.

Auburn‘s Hugh Freeze is one of those coaches, and the Tigers have certainly had a lot of gaps to fill.

To that end, the Tigers have already taken in 16 transfers this cycle, with more potentially on the way. Freeze outlined the positional needs remaining on Wednesday at the Regions Tradition celebrity pro am.

“We would like another receiver or two,” he said. “Maybe another D-end. Maybe another linebacker, DB. We’re open. I think we’re pretty set at O-line now and quarterback room for sure, but we’re always open to looking.”

The Tigers have already added some quality options at both quarterback and the offensive line through the NCAA transfer portal.

The big get was Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne, who committed to Auburn late last week. Thorne has thrown for 5,919 yards and 46 touchdowns over the last two seasons, against 21 interceptions.

He should immediately compete with Robby Ashford for the starting job.

Whichever one wins the job will have the luxury of working behind a patched-up offensive line. The Tigers added Tulsa offensive tackle Jaden Muskrat, Tulsa tackle Dillon Wade, East Carolina guard Avery Jones and Western Kentucky tackle Gunner Britton as transfers.

Still, the Tigers remain on the hunt for NCAA transfer portal talent that could make things go a little smoother on the field in Year 1.

Auburn is coming off a 5-7 campaign, with just two wins in SEC competition. It’ll take a little bit of a rebuilding job to get the program where Freeze wants it.

Can he pluck some more out of the transfer portal in the spring? With a shorter window, most coaches have found talent a bit more difficult to come by than in the winter.

“I think this is my first year to deal with it in the spring,” Freeze said. “I think it is the first spring portal, so I don’t have a lot to compare it to other than the first portal period. And I would say probably the first portal period had more depth and talent, maybe, but there’s some good players in this period also.”

Auburn will be looking to score a few more in key spots like receiver, defensive end, linebacker and defensive back.