Who will Auburn turn to in its bowl game against Maryland after opt-outs and transfers?

In his inaugural year, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze aimed to guide the Tigers back to a bowl game, a target achieved with the team’s sixth victory against Arkansas on Nov. 11. Securing their postseason spot, Freeze now shifts focus to transforming the 6-6 season into a 7-6 triumph, with the upcoming TransPerfect Music City Bowl against the Maryland Terrapins.

Yet, as Auburn prepares to face the Terps in Nashville, changes to the roster are inevitable. Several players have chosen to transfer or opt out of the bowl game, leading to significant alterations, particularly in the wide receiver and defensive secondary positions. Notably, four receivers have opted to transfer, and a duo of experienced defensive backs are expected to sit out the bowl game. This raises the question of how Auburn’s depth chart will be reshaped in these specific position groups.

Wide receiver

Since Auburn’s last regular-season game against Alabama on Nov. 25, Ja’Varrius Johnson, Malcolm Johnson Jr., Omari Kelly, and Jyaire Shorter have all declared their intentions to transfer. Among them, Ja’Varrius Johnson stands out as the most significant loss, having contributed 19 receptions for 347 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season, ranking as Auburn’s second-leading receiver in 2023.

Following these departures, Auburn’s receiving corps is now composed of Camden Brown, Caleb Burton, Jay Fair, Shane Hooks, Nick Mardner, and Koy Moore. The anticipated starters against Maryland are likely to be Burton, Fair, and Brown, given their productivity during the regular season.

In 2023, Burton secured 11 receptions for 148 yards, while Brown made eight catches for 78 yards. Notably, Fair leads in returning production with 30 receptions for 300 yards and two touchdowns.

A positive note for the Tigers is the return of tight end Rivaldo Fairweather, who emerged as Auburn’s top receiver with 33 receptions, 349 yards, and six touchdowns in the regular season. This provides a valuable asset for the team in the upcoming bowl game.

Defensive backfield

With the expected opt-outs of DJ James and Nehemiah Pritchett for Saturday’s game against Maryland, Auburn will face a challenge with the absence of significant experience in the secondary.

Despite this, Auburn can take solace in its abundance of young talent in the secondary, featuring players who gained valuable experience during the regular season. The absence of James and Pritchett means the Tigers will need to start new players at both cornerback positions.

Auburn junior Keionte Scott, who declared his intention to return for his senior season on Dec. 11, is set to transition to the cornerback position for the remainder of his time at Auburn, starting with the bowl game.

With Scott filling one cornerback vacancy, it’s anticipated that a combination of Kayin Lee, JD Rhym, and Colton Hood will be considered for the other cornerback spot. Notably, Lee appeared in all 12 of Auburn’s regular-season games, showcasing his in-game experience.

At safety, the Tigers’ lineup won’t see significant changes, as seniors Jaylin Simpson and Zion Puckett have both expressed their intent to play in the bowl game before heading to the NFL at the season’s end.

However, considering Coach Freeze’s aim to provide younger players with playing time during the bowl game, it’s likely that sophomore Caleb Wooden and freshman Terrance Love will also have opportunities on the field against the Terrapins.