Auburn's Landen King to enter transfer portal following the season, he announces

Auburn sophomore pass-catcher Landen King will enter the transfer portal following the season, he announced on his Twitter account on Tuesday evening. The second-year player posted a heartfelt note announcing his decision.

King had logged just one catch for 24 yards so far this season.

“(S)ometimes you must do what’s best for you, even if you love something with all of your heart,” King wrote on Twitter. “With that being said, I will be entering the transfer portal on December 5th with 3 years of eligibility.”

King had enjoyed a heftier workload as a freshman in 2021. He finished his first campaign with five catches for 59 yards and a touchdown.

A former three-star prospect from Texas, King was rated as the No. 572 overall player in the 2021 recruiting class according to the On3 Consensus recruiting rankings. He was the No. 31 tight end in the nation that recruiting cycle.

But the Tigers’ offense simply hadn’t featured him much this year. His lone catch this season came in a loss to Penn State.

Landen King to hit transfer portal, signed with Auburn prior to Bryan Harsin’s hire

Despite King’s relative lack of involvement this season, he leaves Auburn wishing everyone well, including former coach Gus Malzahn, who departed for UCF after recruiting King with the Tigers.

King was one of a handful of players who signed with the Tigers during the early signing period in 2020 despite not knowing who his next head coach would be. The Tigers hired current coach Bryan Harsin just a few days after King signed his national letter of intent in December 2020.

“First off, I want to say thank you to coach Malzahn for believing in a kid from Texas during COVID, and giving me the opportunity to come play for one of the best universities in the country. Auburn fans will always hold a very, very special place in my heart, and I am so glad I chose Auburn. I love this place so much and it really hurts me inside that I have to make this decision.

“To the Auburn family, thank you guys for supporting this team and myself throughout all of the ups and downs. It just goes to show that you guys are the best in the country. To my teammates, thank you for setting the example on what it really means to be an Auburn man. I love all you guys and y’all know that.”