Why Rivaldo Fairweather will break out in 2023
When taking the time to select a significant breakout playmaker from the 2023 haul of high school and transfer portal players Auburn fans have been afforded a litany of options.
These range from significant upgrades across the offensive field with additions like Dillon Wade from Tulsa, and Payton Thorne from Michigan State to upgrades across the defensive board with the additions of Austin Keys from Ole Miss, and Justin Rogers from Kentucky. Any of these players alongside several others have equal opportunity to become break out performers for the Auburn Tigers in the upcoming 2023-2024 season.
All things considered, my money would have to be placed on Auburn’s first transfer portal pickup this offseason, Rivaldo Fairweather, to be the most significant “Break Out” player this incoming season. The 6-foot-5 in 250-pound Tight End hails originally from Boyd Anderson High School out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. After committing to Florida International University on November 11th, 2019, the young man played three seasons with the Panthers.
Despite the Panthers only winning five out of 24 games over the course of his three seasons on their roster, Fairweather put up consistently increasing receiving numbers. These numbers totaled to the tune of 54 receptions amounting to 838 yards with 5 touchdowns. Fairweather has averaged roughly 15.5 yards per catch over the course of his college career, with his longest being a 75-yard reception last season.
With these modest numbers thus far, one might pose the question as to why one may hedge their bets upon this young man being the breakout performer this year. For those who may question this call consider the following. Through the course of Fairweather’s tenure at FIU he played with three different young men under center, having a different QB1 each season.
Even with the consistent adjustments at QB1, Fairweather maintained upward momentum with his numbers. This is not to throw stones at the performance of these young men, however none of the quarterbacks Rivaldo played with at FIU had a completion percentage higher than 59%. With Auburn’s addition of Payton Thorne at the helm he will now have a quarterback who has consistently put up 60% + completion ratings the past two seasons.
I believe that with Fairweather’s size and speed off the line of scrimmage coupled with the accuracy of Payton Thorne under center could present a dangerous mix against any opposing defense. In short Rivaldo Fairweather’s numbers are showing a significant upwards trajectory poising him to be a significant breakout performer this season.
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