Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze is actively seeking to address the void left by three departing senior offensive linemen—Gunner Britton, Avery Jones, and Kam Stutts—through the transfer portal. With these key players out of eligibility, Freeze aims to bolster the Tigers’ offensive line during the transfer cycle from December 4 to January 2. AL.com’s Ainslie Lee reported that Auburn has extended offers to at least six transfer offensive linemen as of December 7.
Among the players offered by Freeze’s staff are Indiana’s Matthew Bedford (RS senior), San Jose State’s Fernando Carmona Jr. (sophomore), Shorter’s Alan Herron (sophomore), North Dakota’s Easton Kilty (junior), Memphis’s Makylan Pounders (RS sophomore), and Southern Miss’s Gerquan Scott (RS junior).
The performance of Auburn’s offensive line in the 2023 season showcased effectiveness in the running game, with leading rusher Jarquez Hunter averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per carry on 146 touches. Despite the success in rushing, the offensive line struggled in pass protection, ranking in the top 35 for most sacks given up during the season.
For Freeze and offensive line coach Jake Thornton, the focus is on finding linemen capable of providing better pass protection. The goal is to create a pocket that allows the quarterback—whether a transfer from the portal or internal options like Payton Thorne and/or Walker White—to make plays and improve the overall productivity of the quarterback position. By addressing the offensive line early on, Auburn can then allocate resources to address defensive gaps and strengthen the team overall.
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