Auburn is coming off a woeful 2023 passing attack, but there’s good news with the vast number of roster moves.
While the Tigers lose players like Jay Fair (31 receptions, 324 yards, and 2 touchdowns) and Ja’Varrius Johnson (19 receptions, 347 yards, and 3 touchdowns), the overall wide receiver depth chart is in a far better position than it was just last season (statistics from CFBStats.com).
In 2024, here are three prime reasons, among several, why the Tigers will be airing it out with much more success.
1) There’s far more wide receiver talent on the 2024 roster and that begins with success from the Transfer Portal. It begins with adding former Georgia State receier Robert Lewis. Per PFF, Lewis is coming off 70 catches, 877 yards, and 7 touchdowns. While a step up in competition, Lewis’s consistency is another factor to consider. His 2023 statistics include at least two receptions in every contest.
He’s also capable of big games. Against Charlotte, 6 receptions, 220 yards, and two touchdowns. His athleticism and playmaking ability will be welcome additions when the Tigers enter any game. The latest Transfer Portal addition is also a key component for why Tigers fans should be excited.
Former Penn State receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith is a playmaker with his speed and elusiveness. Even playing in what many PSU fans would consider a subpar passing attack, Lambert-Smith’s 2023 numbers were 53 receptions, 674 yards, and 4 touchdowns. Combining Lewis with him, now Auburn has two proven pass catchers for Payton Thorne to throw the football. There’s still more.
While he’s been recovering from injury, Sam Jackson V is an explosive athlete that grew up playing with Thorne in Illinois. He’s going to have his moments this fall, too. Overall, Auburn’s wide receiver room has more speed and talent from the upperclassmen ranks than it did one year ago.
2) Here come the freshmen!
The much-anticipated arrival of Bryce Cain, Malcolm Simmons, Perry Thompson, and Cam Coleman. While a group of freshmen typically do not make a big impact, all four of these young men can truly play. It’s the best wide receiver recruiting haul in Auburn history.
Coleman and Cain are already enrolled and showed off their talents during spring practice. One could argue that Coleman is already Auburn’s best deep threat and is pushing to be the No. 1 receiver overall. Might sound crazy but multiple members of the Auburn media hold similar opinions after seeing Coleman multiple times this spring.
Cain’s quickness in space is tremendous. He’s the prototypical slot receiver that’s all but impossible to defend in space. Coming off a good spring, look for Cain to have some eye-opening plays this fall.
Thompson and Simmons are athletic specimens that should make a run at playing time this fall as well. Most likely, both will see considerable playing time. While this group is going to be counted on quite a bit, do not discount the abilities of Hugh Freeze and his coaching staff scheming up ways for the freshmen receivers to make impacts either. They will help the young players find their groove.
3) Auburn has proven playmakers coming into the program, and do not forget about a proven commodity at tight end either.
Even with teams often keying on his every move, Rivaldo Fairweather is coming off a 2023 campaign with 33 receptions, 349 yards, and 6 touchdowns (Pro Football Focus). He’s going to be a fifth-year senior this fall; it’s essentially his “money year” as he prepares to make the jump to the National Football League. For one, motivation matters. It’s obvious he’s continuing to improve, too.
While the media watched during spring practice, Fairweather’s presence consistently caused matchup problems. He’s too big for defensive backs and more athletic than the majority of linebackers. Making 50-50 grabs is something Fairweather does well, and he runs routes like a much smaller player than his 6-foot-4 and 251-pound frame might otherwise indicate.
With the players Auburn is adding to the wide receiver corps, Fairweather is going to be one-on-one more often and less likely to receive as much defensive attention. He will have a big 2024 season.
