Keyron Crawford – Syndication Server

Auburn football’s spring transfer portal haul receives praise from CBS Sports

CBS Sports’ Clint Brewster is impressed with Auburn’s ability to fill key needs within the transfer portal this spring.

Auburn football quickly assessed its needs following the spring practice session by adding four key players to its roster.

On offense, the Tigers added another experienced receiver in [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] from Penn State to go along with Georgia State transfer [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag] and several key freshmen such as [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] and [autotag]Bryce Cain[/autotag].

Defensively, Auburn filled its front need with three defensive linemen: [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag], [autotag]Keyron Crawford[/autotag], and [autotag]Isaiah Raikes[/autotag]. Auburn added several defensive backs, wide receivers, and offensive linemen during the winter window in hopes of enhancing its six-win campaign from last season.

Following the closure of the spring transfer portal window on April 30, Clint Brewster of CBS Sports graded several top programs’ transfer portal moves. The Tigers’ ability to fill important needs impressed Brewster, who placed the Tigers at No. 2 with a B- grade.

The Tigers addressed the defensive line in the transfer portal with Philip Blidi (No. 291) and Isaiah Raikes (No. 679). Their rankings won’t “wow” you but they’re high three-star guys who project as solid contributors. Auburn also added a deep threat on the offensive side with receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith (No. 68), who had 12 plays of 15 yards or more last season at Penn State. At offensive tackle, Percy Lewis (No. 194) could be a starter after a strong spring.

Alabama was the lone program to top Auburn in Brewster’s rankings. Florida, Florida State, and LSU join Auburn by rounding out the top five.

Auburn reaches out to former South Alabama linebacker Khalil Jacobs

Jacobs made 56 tackles with eight for loss last season at South Alabama.

One of South Alabama’s top defensive players entered the transfer portal on Friday, and Auburn was quick to reach out.

After dipping into the transfer portal in January, South Alabama linebacker [autotag]Khalil Jacobs[/autotag] entered the portal for the second time this week and has quickly garnered the attention of several top programs including Auburn. He tells Pete Nakos of On3 that Alabama, Duke, Indiana, Missouri, NC State, and Tulane have contacted him in addition to Auburn.

Jacobs finished fifth in tackles last season on South Alabama’s defense with 56 tackles, he also ranked second in sacks (3.0), and third in tackles for loss (8.5).

Jacobs could provide Auburn with another pass rush weapon, as he graded 74.9 in pass rush last season according to Pro Football Focus, which was second-highest among South Alabama defenders. He created 17 total quarterback pressures last season with nine hurries and five quarterback hits.

Auburn has enjoyed success by landing three key defensive players from the transfer portal. Former Indiana DL [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag], former Arkansas State EDGE [autotag]Keyron Crawford[/autotag], and former Texas A&M DL [autotag]Isaiah Raikes[/autotag] all joined Auburn’s roster last week.

Three recent Auburn commits rank among The Athletic’s top spring transfer portal players

Auburn has had a successful spring transfer portal window by landing the nation’s best available talent.

Auburn football has filled several needs during the early portion of the spring transfer portal window, which includes several big names.

The Athletic released its ranking of the top 20 spring transfer portal players, with three players being removed from the list following their commitments to Auburn.

Auburn landed former Indiana defensive lineman Philip Blidi last week, who is considered a “great fit” for Auburn by CBS Sports. Blidi checked in at No. 20 in Max Olson’s rankings following a great season at Indiana in 2023.

The 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive tackle played a rotational role at Texas Tech for three seasons before he joined the Hoosiers and recorded 30 tackles, four TFLs and 15 pressures over 11 starts.

One spot above Blidi at No. 19 is former Arkansas State defensive lineman [autotag]Keyron Crawford[/autotag], who committed to Auburn on Monday. Crawford was a threat in his opposition’s backfield last season by making over 10 tackles for loss.

The 6-foot-4, 243-pound pass rusher had a strong sophomore season for the Red Wolves with 45 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles and ranked in the top 10 among Sun Belt defensive linemen in pressures (39), according to PFF. He’s a former basketball player who has only played football for three years, so there’s plenty of room to grow.

Former Penn State wide receiver [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] is Auburn’s most recent transfer portal addition. Lambert-Smith was Penn State’s top receiver last season and looks to provide leadership to Auburn’s young receiver room. He rounds out the list at No. 5.

Lambert-Smith started 38 games over his four years with the Nittany Lions and emerged as the clear No. 1 target for quarterback Drew Allar in 2023, finishing with 53 catches for 673 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 184-pound senior has one more season of eligibility and is looking to boost his NFL Draft position elsewhere.

Auburn has secured 13 transfer portal commitments since December and has climbed into the top 25 of 247Sports’ transfer portal rankings by checking in at No. 23.

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Auburn transfer Philip Blidi among college football’s ‘best transfer fits’

Blidi will be given the task of replacing Marcus Harris on the Auburn defensive line.

Auburn football has worked diligently to fill needs along its defensive line for the 2024 season and has landed a solid addition in [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag].

Blidi joins Auburn’s roster after making 30 tackles last season at Indiana. Auburn will need to replace outgoing star [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] on the front, and Blidi will look to develop into a solid contributor to the Tigers’ defense.

The spring transfer portal window remains open through the end of this month, but CBS Sports is already calling the Blidi-Auburn connection one of the best “fits.”

Will Backus of CBS Sports has listed the six best fits within the transfer portal, including Blidi’s commitment to Auburn.

Defensive tackle is a huge position of need for a lot of hopeful contenders in the spring window, so props to Auburn for going out and getting one of the best before another program could swoop in. The Tigers are looking to replace All-SEC performer Marcus Harris and — while Blidi isn’t a ready-made successor — he’ll certainly help in that regard. Blidi spent the first three years of his career at Texas Tech before transferring to Indiana in 2023 and emerging as a starter. He graded out as one of the Hoosiers’ best run-stuffers while tallying 30 tackles and four tackles for loss from the interior.

Auburn has added two more defensive linemen from the transfer portal, [autotag]Isaiah Raikes[/autotag] and [autotag]Keyron Crawford[/autotag]. The Tigers are looking to add more defensive aid and another wide receiver to its spring transfer haul.