raion strader – Syndication Server

USA TODAY Sports releases its final 2024 re-rank. Where is Auburn?

Where did Auburn finish in the final USA TODAY Sports re-rank by Paul Myerberg?

The Auburn Tigers’ 2024 season did not go as planned, thus resulting in a 5-7 record and no postseason bid for the second time in three seasons.

Auburn’s disappointing season can be reflected in USA TODAY Sports’ final re-rank of the season. Auburn won two of its final three games, however, a 14-point loss to Alabama knocks the Tigers down to a final resting place of No. 86, a six-spot drop from the beginning of bowl season.

Good news for Auburn is that [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and his staff have worked tirelessly this offseason to improve its roster through the transfer portal. The Tigers have the No. 4 transfer portal class for the 2025 cycle according to 247Sports after landing several notable additions including quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], four-star tackle [autotag]Xavier Chaplin[/autotag], and four-star safety [autotag]Raion Strader[/autotag].

The national champion Ohio State Buckeyes claim the top spot in the year-end rankings, jumping four spots from No. 5. UConn made the largest stride in the ranking by climbing 18 spots to No. 59 while Oklahoma fell 16 spots to No. 64 following its bowl loss to Navy.

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Keionte Scott becomes latest Tiger to enter transfer portal

Scott departs the program after recording 113 tackles in three seasons at Auburn.

Auburn football lost one of its most experienced defensive backs to the transfer portal over the holiday break.

[autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag], who appeared in 27 games for Auburn from 2022-24, shared this week that he has entered the transfer portal. Scott’s decision came after an NCAA ruling that gave former JUCO players an extra season of eligibility was implemented. Scott joined Auburn’s roster in 2022 after playing one season at Snow College in Utah.

Outside of being a defensive back for the Tigers, Scott was also known for his returning ability. In three seasons, Scott returned 44 punts for 10.5 yards a return with one score, and a career-long return of 74 yards. Scott split time at the nickel and cornerback positions on defense, where he logged 133 tackles and eight pass breakups.

Scott started in three of Auburn’s games during the 2024 season, and participated in nine total. A mixture of a mid-season ankle injury and the emergence of true freshman [autotag]Jay Crawford[/autotag] led to a decrease in play time for Scott.

Crawford, along with [autotag]Kayin Lee[/autotag] and [autotag]Kensley Louidor-Faustin[/autotag], return to Auburn’s cornerback department next season, and will be joined by Miami (Ohio) transfer [autotag]Raion Strader[/autotag] to complete a young, but experienced defensive backfield in 2025.

Auburn adds LSU transfer LB Xavier Atkins

Atkins played in five games at LSU during the 2024 season.

Auburn boosted its roster Wednesday by adding a linebacker with SEC experience.

[autotag]Xavier Atkins[/autotag], a linebacker from Humble, Texas, announced his commitment to Auburn on Wednesday after spending his true freshman season at LSU. Atkins signed with LSU as the No. 25 linebacker from the 2024 class according to 247Sports composite rankings, choosing the Bayou Bengals over Texas A&M.

In his debut season in Baton Rouge, Atkins appeared in five games where he logged 31 snaps, mostly at middle linebacker. Atkins recorded three tackles with two quarterback pressures.

Atkins is the 10th transfer player to commit to Auburn since the winter transfer portal window opened on Dec. 6. He is the fourth defensive player to commit to the Tigers this cycle, joining cornerback [autotag]Raion Strader[/autotag] (Miami University), defensive lineman Dallas Walker (Western Kentucky), and safety [autotag]Taye Seymore[/autotag] (Georgia Tech).

According to 247Sports, Atkins is Auburn’s No. 8 incoming transfer. Virginia Tech offensive line transfer [autotag]Xavier Chaplin[/autotag] takes the top spot, followed by USC OL transfer [autotag]Mason Murphy[/autotag], Miami (Ohio) cornerback Raidon Strader, and Oklahoma quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag].

Highly-touted transfer cornerback Raion Strader commits to Auburn

The sophomore from Pittsburgh, PA entered the transfer portal this winter following two very solid seasons in the MAC

Former Miami (OH) cornerback Raion Strader has reportedly committed to join the Auburn Tigers next season. Strader, who led the nation with 20 passes defended this season, helped lead the Red Hawks to a MAC Championship appearance this season despite an 0-3 start to the 2024 campaign.

The sophomore from Pittsburgh, PA entered the transfer portal this winter following two very solid seasons in the MAC. Although he did not receive much interest from Division 1 schools during his high school recruitment process, the incoming junior developed into a very important piece for the Red Hawks as soon as he stepped onto campus. 247 Sports ranked him as the No. 5 cornerback in the current transfer cycle, ultimately giving him a four-star recruit ranking after he spent his high school career unranked.

In two seasons with Miami (OH), the 6-foot, 182-pound defensive back registered 30 passes defended, 110 total tackles, and 3 interceptions. He was able to accumulate at least 2 passes defended in four of his team’s final six games this season, including one in the MAC Championship against Ohio.

While current starting cornerbacks Kayin Lee and Jay Crawford are highly unlikely to cede snaps in the defensive backfield next season, Strader should have the opportunity to compete for playing time at either cornerback or safety in what is expected to be one of the youngest defensive back groupings in the conference.

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Wisconsin football offers standout all-MAC transfer cornerback

Wisconsin offers standout Miami (OH) transfer cornerback

Wisconsin extended an offer to Miami (OH) transfer cornerback Raion Strader on Monday.

Strader is the program’s second public transfer offer, joining Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger. Both offers follow the portal officially opening on Dec. 9.

The standout cornerback entered the portal after two years with the Redhawks. He played 13 games as a true freshman in 2023, recording 57 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception and 13 pass deflections. He then earned first-team All-MAC honors with a stellar 2024 campaign, finishing with 53 tackles, two interceptions and an NCAA-leading 18 pass deflections.

Wisconsin extends the offer after seeing a majority of its cornerback room transfer out in the last few weeks. Star Ricardo Hallman may still return for another season, but the position has quickly become one of the biggest needs on the team.

Blessed to receive an offer from the university of Wisconsin @CoachWhit_UW @PatLambert13 @210ths @AaronStrader412 pic.twitter.com/EENixDedm2

— RaionStrader (@RaionStrader) December 9, 2024

The Badgers have found recent success adding experienced cornerbacks from mid-major or D-II programs. 2024 starter Nyzier Fourqurean transferred in from Grand Valley State and has a terrific impact.

Strader’s production and accolades highlight him as a potential top cornerback option in the transfer portal. A commitment would be big news for a Badgers defense that needs a boost.

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