Tag: ja’varrius johnson

Brian’s Column: Auburn’s new weapons need to make a statement on Saturday

On paper, this is far and away the best starting wide receiver core Auburn has had in some time.

The Auburn offense heads into the 2024 season after spending much of 2023 in a state of flux. While quarterback Payton Thorne showed flashes of competence, specifically in the late SEC season, his lack of explosive weapons and inexperience in the Hugh Freeze offense led the Tigers to one of the worst offensive outputs in the conference.

Still, Auburn was able to win six games behind a dynamic defense that was consistently ranked in the top 20 in ESPN’s Football Power Index. That defense lost some key pieces this offseason however, further creating a need to [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag], Hugh Freeze, Derrick Nix, and the Auburn offense to carry a bigger load in 2024.

If the Tigers are going to have a successful campaign, the offense needs not only improve, but improve drastically. That needs to start on Saturday against Alabama A&M, and it starts with the pass catching threats on the outside.

Only two wide receivers eclipsed the 300-yard mark a season ago on the Plains. Those players, [autotag]Jay Fair[/autotag] and [autotag]Ja’Varrius Johnson[/autotag], both play college ball for different programs now. Only two incumbent wide receivers that made a decent impact, [autotag]Caleb Burton II[/autotag] (226 yards, 2023) and [autotag]Camden Brown[/autotag] (110 yards, 2023) remain on the Auburn roster this season.

The Tigers do return tight end [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag] and his team-leading 394 receiving yards from a season ago, but Payton Thorne needs to have faith in other weapons outside the numbers when Auburn kicks off its season in a tomorrow. Those weapons, which are all due to make their Auburn debut, have plenty of talent. On Saturday, they have to prove to Thorne, Hugh Freeze, and the Auburn family that they can make an impact.

Auburn’s top receiving trio is set to be Penn State transfer [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag], Georgia State transfer [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag], and five-star recruit [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag]. Each respective member of the trio has high expectations going into this season for different reasons. If they all live up to or exceed those expectations, Auburn’s offense could be one of the best in the conference.

Lambert-Smith comes to the Plains after an illustrious career in Happy Valley. His 123 career receptions and 1,721 receiving yards rank just outside the top 15 in Penn State history, and he likely would have entered the top 5 in both categories had he stayed in State College for his final year of eligibility. The 6-foot-1, 182-pound big-play threat decided to join Hugh Freeze on the Plains however, where he’ll likely slot in as the “Z receiver”. He and his 13.7 yards per reception give Auburn a proven, experienced, number one receiver that it hasn’t rostered since Seth Williams. If Auburn’s offense is going to reach its potential, the senior needs to be the first Tiger to surpass 800 yards since the aforementioned Williams in 2019.

Auburn’s projected starting slot receiver, Georgia State transfer [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag], brings much of the same pure speed and route running ability as Lambert-Smith. After hauling in a team-leading 70 receptions for 877 yards in 2023, Lewis has the potential to become a quicker and more explosive version of [autotag]Jay Fair[/autotag], who racked up 31 receptions for 324 yards in this scheme a season ago. While Lewis’s 40-yard speed of 4.45 isn’t as fast as Lambert-Smith’s blazing 4.30, he’s shown elite ability to make defenders miss around the line of scrimmage. When the Auburn offense is at its best, Lewis will be in motion, catching short passes that open up the opposing linebackers, allowing the Auburn run game to thrive.

While the two transfers offer incredible quickness and speed, freshman Cam Coleman has the potential to become a true, dominant, “WR1”, or X receiver, on the Plains. The 18-year-old’s 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame combined with a 4.40 40-time give him all the physical tools needed to dominate in the SEC. There will be growing pains, but if the Phenix City, AL native can put it all together in his freshman season, Auburn’s ceiling could be as high as the College Football Playoff.

On paper, this is far and away the best starting wide receiver core Auburn has had in some time. With freshman Perry “Uno” Thompson and Bryce Cain waiting in the wings as well, quarterback Payton Thorne has little excuse to not take a major step forward in his final season on the Plains. That step forward must begin in the season opener against Alabama A&M.

The Tigers are heavy favorites, and the receiving core needs to show why on Saturday. If they don’t, things could derail quickly for Auburn.

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Former Auburn WR Ja’Varrius Johnson transfers to UCF

With the transfer portal window coming to an end in the college football offseason, former Auburn WR Ja’Varrius Johnson commits to UCF

The transfer portal window is coming to an end in the college football offseason and rosters are becoming set for the 2024-25 year. A lot of moves are being made all around the country, especially ones that should be put on high notice.

One that is potentially very impactful comes from former Auburn wide receiver, [autotag]Ja’Varrius Johnson[/autotag], who has committed to the UCF Knights for next season.

Johnson entered the portal on Dec. 15 with one year of eligibility remaining in his college career. He has spent every season up to this point on the Plains, going through three different head coaches in his time.

The senior racked up 64 receptions for 1,114 yards and eight touchdowns with the Tigers. He capped the 2023 season off with the best game of his season in a loss to Alabama, where he had four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.

He joins former Auburn head coach [autotag]Gus Malzahn[/autotag] in Orlando, as well as former players in wide receiver [autotag]Kobe Hudson[/autotag] and defensive tackle [autotag]Lee Hunter[/autotag].

The Tigers now only notably return their top receiver from last year in [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag], to go along with Camden Brown as main contributors in pass catching from last season.

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Auburn transfer WR Ja’Varrius Johnson to reportedly visit MSU next week

Michigan State football will reportedly host an Auburn transfer wide receiver for a visit next week

Michigan State football will reportedly host an Auburn transfer wide receiver for a visit next week.

Pete Nakos of On3 is reporting that Ja’Varrius Johnson will visit Michigan State next week. He visited UCF already and will also visit Arizona this week, according to Nakos.

Johnson is listed as a three-star transfer prospect on 247Sports. He’s ranked as the No. 89 wide receiver in the portal class.

Johnson has 64 career receptions for 1,114 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. This past season in particular, he had 347 receiving yards and four total touchdowns (three receiving and one rushing) for the Tigers.

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Spring breakdown: Cam Coleman, Bryce Cain poised to make early impression at wide receiver

Coleman and Cain will bring a boost to Auburn’s wide receiver room during the spring practice period.

Spring practice has officially begun, and it is time to break down another position group ahead of A-Day on April 6.

After examining Auburn’s quarterback and running back situation going into spring, we will now take a look at which receivers will go through spring practice.

Auburn lost a few names from last season such as [autotag]Shane Hooks[/autotag] and [autotag]Nick Mardner[/autotag] due to graduation, as well as [autotag]Ja’varrius Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Jyaire Shorter[/autotag] to the transfer portal. Several recognizable names such as Koy Moore and Caleb Burton return to the rotation while true freshmen Cam Coleman and Bryce Cain are getting their feet wet.

Below is a look at every wide receiver participating in this season’s spring drills.

Former Auburn wide receivers coach to join Atlanta Falcons staff

Hilliard served as wide receivers coach for Auburn during the final season of the Bryan Harsin era.

A former Auburn assistant is heading back to the NFL to serve on a professional staff.

[autotag]Ike Hilliard[/autotag], who coached wide receivers and later served as interim offensive coordinator at Auburn during the 2022 season, has been hired by the Atlanta Falcons to coach wide receivers as part of new head coach Raheem Morris’ staff.

During his one season at Auburn, Tiger receivers reeled in 159 passes for 2,072 yards and nine touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus data, Auburn receivers dropped 17 passes in 2022 and earned an additional 1,077 yards after first contact.

[autotag]Ja’varrius Johnson[/autotag] was the team’s leading receiver with 493 yards and three touchdowns on 26 catches. [autotag]Koy Moore[/autotag] and [autotag]Shedrick Jackson[/autotag] were next in line with a combined 531 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Hilliard returns to the NFL after spending 11 seasons as a wide receivers coach for a variety of teams such as the Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, and Buffalo Bills. Before joining the coaching ranks, he played 12 seasons in the NFL for the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Tale of the Tape: Auburn vs. Maryland

The Tigers are a touchdown favorite to win the Music City Bowl, but could this game be closer than oddsmakers expect?

The 6-6 Auburn Tigers return to action for the first time since losing the Iron Bowl later this week when they take on the 7-5 Maryland Terrapins in the Music City Bowl on December 30.

Auburn finished the regular season with back-to-back losses but managed bowl eligibility in the first season under new head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag].

On the other side, Taulia Tagovailoa and Maryland had an up-and-down season in the Big 10, winning 7 games in 12 tries.

The all-time leading passer in Big 10 history has opted out of this game, giving Auburn a significant edge according to oddsmakers. The Tigers are currently a full touchdown favorite on BetMGM.

ESPN FPI believes this game should be much closer, as Hugh Freeze’s squad has just a 52.4% chance to win according to the model.

Will the tale of the tape show us this game will be a Dixieland Delight for Auburn fans, or will Maryland fans be singing the Victory song on Broadway after the Music City Bowl?

As always we’ll start with the quarterbacks.

Tigers quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] initial season on the Plains was much like a Sky Dog at 2 AM. The junior was a bit disappointing, but ultimately got the job done for the most part.

Thorne finished the regular season with 1,671 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions as Auburn’s QB1(a).

Hugh Freeze’s QB1(b), [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag], has joined thousands of other players in the transfer portal, leaving Thorne with the keys to the Honda Accord that is the Auburn offense.

With Ashford all but gone and incoming four-star recruit Walker White cooking in the background, Thorne has one final chance in game action to prove he can lead the Tigers into 2024.

As for the team up in Maryland, senior sensation Taulia Tagovailoa has chosen to opt out of this game, leaving sophomore quarterback [autotag]Billy Edwards Jr.[/autotag] and freshmen [autotag]Cameron Edge[/autotag] as the lone signal-callers on the Terps roster.

Both players combined for just 13 passing attempts this season although Edwards Jr. was used as a goal line quarterback, most notably rushing for 3 touchdowns against No. 1 ranked Michigan.

Maryland’s passing offense was explosive this season but the loss of Tagovailoa gives the edge to Thorne and the Tigers.

The skill positions across the offense are a different story. Auburn holds the edge at running back thanks to the electrifying [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] but the wide receiver gap is larger than Old Line State’s obsession with Old Bay.

Maryland often employs three-reciever sets with [autotag]Jeshaun Jones[/autotag], [autotag]Tai Felton[/autotag], and [autotag]Kaden Pranther[/autotag]. Those three combined for nearly 500 more receiving yards than Auburn quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] had in passing yards this season.

The Terrapins fourth target, tight end Corey Dyches, would have paced all Auburn pass-catchers as well.

Auburn tight end Rivaldo Fairweather had a solid season but the edge clearly goes to Maryland, especially considering the Tigers will be without [autotag]Ja’Varrius Johnson[/autotag] in this one.

Auburn’s defense is clearly the better unit on that side of the ball, but defensive coordinator [autotag]Ron Roberts[/autotag] has some work ahead of him due to opt outs.

Cornerbacks [autotag]D.J. James[/autotag] and [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] as well as defensive lineman [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] won’t be availbile for this one, leaving the 21-ranked defense according to ESPN FPI shorthanded in Nashville.

James and Harris were arguably Auburn’s two best players on the defensive side of the ball this season. It helps that linebacker [autotag]Jalen McLeod[/autotag] and cornerback [autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag] are staying on the Plains and will be playing, but the loss of Harris, James, and Pritchett will be felt.

Maryland’s defense on the other hand isn’t great but it’s not anemic either. The Terps were solid all year long, but did give up an average of over 30 points per game in losses this season.

Head coach [autotag]Mike Locksley[/autotag] isn’t dealing with any major opt-outs on that side of the ball, making the gap between these two teams closer than the stats say.

Still, Auburn gets the edge here.

There is a reason ESPN FPI has these two teams ranked next to each other in overall ranking. While the loss of Taulia Tagovailoa gives Auburn an edge in this game, the Music City Bowl could very well come down to the wire.

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Auburn updates depth chart for Music City Bowl after departures

Auburn’s depth chart looks quite different for the Music City Bowl.

It is nearly time for Auburn football to return to action in the Music City Bowl against the Maryland Terrapins.

The Auburn team will look quite differently after several players have entered the transfer portal and are no longer with the team. The biggest losses are on the defensive side where starting cornerbacks [autotag]D.J. James[/autotag] and [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] and starting defensive tackle [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] have all opted-out of the game as they prepare for the NFL draft.

The wide receiver position has been hit particularly hard with four players, including the leading wide receiver [autotag]Ja’Varrius Johnson[/autotag], entering the transfer portal. The group is down to just seven scholarship wideouts. Here is a look at the new depth chart after all of the departures.

Auburn releases depth chart for TransPerfect Music City Bowl

Auburn is lacking depth at several spots for the Music City Bowl.

After a couple of weeks off, Auburn football is set to return to action on Dec. 30 when they play Maryland in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.

Auburn’s roster will look quite different from the last time they took the field after 12 players have entered the transfer portal and others have opted out to prepare for the NFL draft.

Perhaps the biggest change comes at the wide receiver position where the Tigers have lost [autotag]Ja’Varrius Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Omari Kelly[/autotag], [autotag]Jyaire Shorter[/autotag], and [autotag]Malcolm Johnson Jr.[/autotag] to the portal, and are now only listing two positions after having three all season.

Some key opt-outs include starting cornerbacks [autotag]D.J. James[/autotag] and [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] and starting defensive tackle [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag], all of whome [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] said he does not expect to play.

One player who hopes to play is starting safety [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag], who has already accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl. He has been battling a hamstring injury and his health will determine if he is able to play in the game, Freeze said.

Here is a look at the full depth chart for Auburn’s final game of the 2023 season.

Auburn leading WR Ja’Varrius Johnson has reportedly entered the transfer portal

Auburn’s wide receiver room is going to look very different next season.

Auburn has reportedly lost its top receiver to the transfer portal. According to a report by Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer of 247Sports, [autotag]Ja’Varrius Johnson[/autotag] entered the transfer portal on Friday.

Johnson led Auburn’s receivers in yards (347) and touchdowns (3) in what could be his fifth and final season on the Plains. He saved his best performance for the Iron Bowl, catching four passes for 76 yards and one touchdown and running for another.

The Trussville, Alabama product caught 64 passes for 1,114 yards and eigth touchdowns in 35 games for the Tigers.

He is the 12th Tiger to enter the portal so far and is arguably Auburn’s biggest loss yet. He is the fourth wide receiver to enter, joining Jyaire Shorter, Omari Kelly and Malcolm Johnson Jr.

Auburn’s wide receiver group is being overhauled ahead of next season with Jay Fair, Camden Brown and Caleb Burton III being the only scholarship receivers set to return. They will be joined by transfer Robert Lewis and true freshmen Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, Bryce Cain and Malcolm Simmons, who will all have the option to play early.

You can view all of Auburn’s outgoing transfers HERE.

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Tight end Luke Deal announces return to Auburn football

Deal says that “unfinished business” is the reason that he is coming back to Auburn for a sixth season.

One of Auburn’s most experienced offensive players has announced that he will return to the program for the 2024 season.

[autotag]Luke Deal[/autotag], a former three-star tight end from the 2019 recruiting cycle, revealed Thursday that he will return to Auburn next season for his sixth season of eligibility.

Deal spoke with Jason Caldwell of Auburn Undercover shortly after announcing his decision. He tells Caldwell that he is strong enough to play for another season and is excited to see the progress that the team is expected to make. He also wants to take care of some “unfinished business” before he departs from the program.

“There’s a couple of games, the Georgia game and Alabama game, but especially the Bama game. That will stick in my mind for 364 days,” Deal said in an interview with Auburn Undercover. “That’s something I can’t quite let go yet. My wife and I are here and we love it here. I’m blessed with another year of eligibility. I’m ready to lead this team next year. We’re going to have some serious dudes and we’re going to win some serious ballgames next year.”

His return makes him one of Auburn’s most experienced players. Since arriving in 2019, he has been involved in 1,302 snaps according to Pro Football Focus. He has also participated in 52 games with 16 starts over the last five seasons.

He was a part of Auburn’s 2019 class that was ranked No. 13 according to 247Sports. [autotag]Zion Puckett[/autotag], [autotag]Ja’varrius Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag], [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag], [autotag]Tyler Fromm[/autotag], and [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] join Deal as members of the class who are still on Auburn’s roster. The class was headlined by linebackers [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag] and [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag], as well as former Auburn quarterback [autotag]Bo Nix[/autotag].

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