Sources: Three Auburn football players enter the NCAA Transfer Portal
Three Auburn players are in the transfer portal, sources told On3’s Matt Zenitz. Running back Shaun Shivers, wide receiver Elijah Canion and defensive lineman Caleb Johnson entered the portal Tuesday morning.
Shivers was Auburn’s fourth-leading rusher this season, totaling 87 yards to average 8.7 yards per game on the ground. He also found the end zone once. Shivers also averaged 16.3 receiving yards per game and caught a touchdown in the air.
Canion wasn’t as involved this season, playing in four games. He totaled 46 receiving yards in those games. Johnson was one of Auburn’s backup defensive linemen this year and had four total tackles, including one tackle for loss.
Auburn went 6-6 this year in Bryan Harsin’s first season with the Tigers. They came close to upsetting Alabama in last week’s Iron Bowl, but the Crimson Tide forced overtime and eventually won 24-22.
The news also comes on the heels of a coaching staff shakeup. Harsin fired offensive coordinator Mike Bobo Monday night, On3’s Justin Hokanson reported.
Auburn coaching staff moves from Mike Bobo
“Mike Bobo will not return as Auburn’s offensive coordinator, sources have confirmed to Auburn Live,” On3’s Justin Hokanson reported Monday night.
First-year coach Bryan Harsin appears to have finalized the decision to part ways with Bobo on Monday. Auburn’s offense averaged 405 yards per game this year, 10th in the SEC. While offensive output was lower than the average, the Tigers’ attack was fairly balanced with 164 yards rushing and 241 yards passing per game.
It was Bobo’s first year as Auburn’s offensive coordinator, but he has a long history in the SEC. Bobo spent 14 years at Georgia, but was South Carolina’s offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for the 2020 season. Before returning to the SEC he served Colorado State as their head coach for five seasons as well.
Auburn ended their season with a 6-6 record, with a 3-5 record against SEC opponents. The Tigers season appeared to be on track to impress, even after an early season loss against Penn State. Although they lost to Georgia, they began SEC play by beating LSU, Arkansas and Ole Miss.
From there, Auburn couldn’t maintain their winning record and lost four straight games to end the season. There was a chance to finish the season by upsetting their rival Alabama in the Iron Bowl and for most of the game it looked like the Tigers would end on a win.
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young had other plans though, completing a 97-yard drive to tie the game and send it to overtime. Eventually, Alabama would win 24-22 in the fourth overtime.
Auburn now turns to their future with the decision to part ways with Bobo. Keeping quarterback Bo Nix on track with the program is another of the many pieces Harsin will be working with now.