Auburn Briefing: Tigers' receiver room looking much stronger than a season ago

Hugh Freeze & Co. really strengthened the wide receiver room this offseason.

Auburn's receiver room in 2022 was half the talent they have on roster today.

Hugh Freeze dipped into the transfer portal and picked up some of the best pieces possible, including a pair of potential new starters, as well as some promising backups.

Here's a look at the Tigers' portal receiver commits ranked in terms of projected production for the season.

Shane Hooks, Jackson State

Auburn football practice - Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Hooks was Coach Deion Sanders and Jackson State's leading receiver in 2022, reeling in 64 passes for 748 yards and ten touchdowns.

He played 711 snaps on the outside while only playing 11 snaps in the slot.

Hooks also played at Ohio where he recorded 665 yards and six receiving touchdowns over the course of two seasons.

He has a very real shot at leading Auburn in receiving this season even with the other additions surrounding him.

Jyaire Shorter, North Texas

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Shorter caught 23 passes for 628 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022, giving him a nation-leading 27 yards per catch.

He's is a big play wideout with an elite mix of strength and speed. His big play ability is incredible, and it seems like he caught a long touchdown almost every game last season for North Texas.

It's arguably one of the best pickups Freeze and his staff have gotten in the portal this spring. His value will be massive if he is healthy by the time the season starts.

Caleb Burton, Ohio State

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

The former top-75 overall prospect was heralded for his fluidity, consistency, and elite body control coming out of high school.

According to Auburn OC Philip Montgomery, Burton's work ethic has really set him apart and proven to be a clear strength of his game.

"I think for him its just the understanding of the game," Auburn OC Philip Montgomery said to the media during a Monday press conference. "He's one of the hardest working dudes this summer... It's everyday, and it's like 'alright, it's time to leave the building, get some rest, go get something to eat."

It may take a bit of time for Burton to get acclimated to the offense, but with his current approach to the game, he should be able to pick things up in no time.

Nick Mardner, Cincinnati

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Mardner spent three seasons with the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors before transferring to play for the Bearcats. In three years, he accumulated 1,270 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He had 218 yards and three touchdowns in his lone season with Luke Fickell and Cinci. He was coached by former Auburn pass-catcher and new receivers coach Marcus Davis.

The Tigers have been looking for a strong outside target in the transfer portal and Mardner may be that pickup - standing at 6-foot-6, 190 pounds, he could end up being a versatile pickup.

His breakout season included 913 yards and five touchdowns in 2021, a season where he averaged 19.8 yards per catch.

What's happening today

The media will have a practice viewing window as well as a interview session with players at 9:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. CT today.

We will have stories with notes, photos, quotes and takeaways later today at Auburn Daily. 

We wrote it

Auburn Daily's Zac Blackerby wrote about Tigers' wide receiver Jay Fair and how his name has been thrown around quite a bit during fall camp. According to one camp source, Fair is "the real deal."

Per a source, "Jay Fair is the real deal," when I asked about his early success in fall camp. He is seemingly getting reps over Ja'Varrius Johnson and former Ohio State receiver Caleb Burton.

Read the full thing here.

Today's podcast

On today's Locked On Auburn, Zac Blackerby chats about the latest in Auburn fall camp and Auburn recruiting with Auburn Message Board Legend Charlie5.

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