Who are the Auburn pass-catchers? The Tigers are in week three of Spring practice that will end on April 8th with the annual A-Day Game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. New head coach Hugh Freeze has had to answer questions about the quarterbacks but has made it clear wide receiver is another key position. In a press conference after Auburn’s first scrimmage, he talked about how both positions had a long way to go. We previously looked at the Tigers’ quarterbacks and running backs for the Spring. Now, a look at the pass-catchers with the wide receivers and tight ends.
Who Are The Auburn Pass-catchers?
Returning Tiger
This group of Auburn pass-catchers is being coached by a former Tiger. Freeze hired Marcus Davis away from Georgia Southern to help bring along a talented but unproven group. Davis played for Auburn from 2013-16 and was part of the 2013 team that won the SEC Championship. He caught 83 passes for 650 yards and three touchdowns while on the plains.
Who’s Buzzing?
There has been some positive buzz around receiver Camden Brown who is going into his sophomore season. In Auburn’s first scrimmage on March 17th, Brown was able to haul in a touchdown. Freeze was very complimentary of Brown saying he has great potential and that he is excited to have him. Brown fits the receiver preference of Freeze with is 6’3 frame. In 2022, Brown only caught nine passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Against Arkansas, he had four catches for 83 yards and one score. That included a 49-yard catch late to set up a Jarquez Hunter touchdown.
Who’s Next?
Auburn will return their leading receiver from a year ago in Ja’Varrius Johnson. Last season he had 26 catches for 493 yards and three touchdowns. He displayed some big-play ability with an average of 19 yards per catch. Cincinnati transfer Nick Mardner comes in to add more size to the receiver room as well. At 6’6 he fits the mold like Brown and has shown flashes of big-play ability in the past. In 2021 at Hawaii he caught 46 passes for 913 yards and five touchdowns. Last season with the Bearcats his production dipped with only 19 catches and 218 yards. Auburn will need the 2021 version to make the offense hit its stride. Other Auburn pass-catchers to pay attention to are Koy Moore, Jay Fair, and Landen King.
Tight Ends
The Auburn tight ends are going to be coached by someone that has spent plenty of time with Freeze. Ben Aigamaua comes to Auburn with 13 years of coaching experience. He spent the last four seasons at Liberty, and was at Ole Miss from 2012-18. His first four seasons at Oxford were under Freeze.
Auburn has a solid group of tight ends but will be looking to replace the leadership and production of John Samuel Shenker. Last season, he was fifth on the team with 208 yards and one touchdown. One of the better transfer portal additions Rivaldo Fairweather could fill that void left by Shenker. Fairweather comes from Florida International where last season he caught 28 passes for 426 yards and three touchdowns. Returning to the team will be veterans in seniors Tyler Fromm and Luke Deal. This position needs to add major contributions for the Auburn pass-catchers.
Photo courtesy: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
