On3 Roundtable: Previewing potential playmakers for Auburn at wide receiver in 2023

Most people would agree that the turnover throughout the Auburn football program was much-needed. Hiring Hugh Freeze as the Tigers’ next head coach and bringing in transfers that fit his vision, the public has little knowledge of what that actually looks like.

The Tigers haven’t been able to publicly showcase themselves aside from the spring game — but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to be excited about, especially in the wide receivers ranks. Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson joined the On3 Roundtable alongside JD PicKell to discuss what fans should expect from the Tigers’ group out wide in 2023.

“One of them is Rivaldo Fairweather, a tight end from Florida International they brought in; 6’5, 250. He’s only played football for four or five years of his life, but played basketball, played soccer in high school, super athletic and super raw,” Hokanson told PicKell. “That kid’s got NFL potential written all over him. He’s going to be really interesting to see.

“Is he involved in just the red zone or is he involved all the way up and down the field? He’s a guy that’s going to be a big target.”

Hokanson specifically noted two incoming transfers in particular: Shane Hooks (Jackson State), who is 6’5, and Jyaire Shorter (North Texas), who scored touchdowns on half of his catches lasy season, are going to be players out wide for Auburn this season. He also praised Ja’Varrius Johnson, who has been around the program for a couple years, for his speed in the slot

“I think he’s a guy that could catch a lot of passes for Auburn as well,” Hokanson said of Johnson. “I think there’s a lot to be determined. I don’t know that there will be a premier pass catcher. I’m not — I mean, maybe. I feel like you’ve got some guys that can maybe turn into reliable guys across the board but I would probably start with those four.”

On paper, Auburn begins the season with a few opportunities to get all four of these men involved in the passing game. Hosting UMass and Samford during two of the first three weeks and traveling to Cal in their Week 2 matchup presents the perfect opportunities to work out the kinks while still sharing the ball around.

The UMass game will kick off the season, and is set for Sept. 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.