Auburn defensive lineman Stephen Johnson to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal

Freshman defensive lineman Stephen Johnson announced his intentions to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal on Tuesday around noon.

Thank you Auburn for the opportunity,” Johnson wrote on Twitter. “Much love and appreciation for the experience! Auburn will always have a special place in my heart. I’ll be entering the transfer portal with 4 years of eligibility! God got a plan for me🙏🏾”

Prospect history: Johnson was a flip from Arkansas late in the 2023 recruiting cycle. He was the No. 1,158 overall player, the No. 154 defensive lineman, and the No. 150 player in the state of Georgia according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

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What does Johnson’s departure mean?

While Auburn searches for depth along the defensive line, Auburn Live had not heard Johnson’s name much moving into the offseason. It seems as though he was rather low on the depth chart after redshirting this season.

Impact of Johnson’s departure? Minimal

Hugh Freeze opines on handling the transfer portal

What will Auburn’s roster look like next season? How many players will Freeze and co. sign in the 2024 class? The transfer portal? Freeze still isn’t sure how it will all play out.

“I don’t think there’s any possible way any coach can sit here and tell you how he’s going to come up with his 85. I’d love to sit here and tell you we’re going to build it with high school kids…I’d love to say that, but this week if I have 10 guys walk in and say they’re going to transfer and I haven’t been recruiting enough high school kids, it’s impossible to say that. I have no idea how the makeup of the 85 will look in what we have to replace. Do we have to replace just 22? Do we have to replace 32? None of us know. I think that’s become the biggest challenge for us coaches is how do we even manage the 85.

Track the latest NCAA Transfer Portal happenings

“It will take you all the way through spring and summer to figure that out because of the way the portal windows are set up. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that this portal window we’re getting ready to have is as long as it is. It makes no sense. We have to go through Christmas worrying about people tampering with players on your team. Either they know they are going or they’re not. Give them December 1 through the 10th, make your decision and move on. This idea of this long portal window, it wasn’t made by anybody having to live it, I can assure you.”

And on the topic of re-recruiting your own roster, how will Freeze handle those conversations?

“Only way I know how to be is totally transparent. Tell them the truth. The truth for some is your chances to play here are probably slim. The truth for others is there’s an element of patience that needs to be involved in your decision. If you could just be patient and not listen to the voices that want immediate gratification or certainly, you have the money aspect that’s involved in all of this now. You should choose the place and the culture and environment that’s going to shape you for the long term, the long haul. I think everything is better when you are in that environment yourself. Some need to have patience and other discussions will be truthful with how we see you fitting into this roster.”

Track transfer portal activity

While the NCAA transfer portal database is private, the On3 Network has streamlined the reporting process tracking player movement.

If you find yourself asking, ‘How can I track transfer portal activity?’ our well-established network of reporters and contacts across college athletics keeps you up to speed in several ways, from articles written about players as they enter and exit the transfer portal or find their new destination, to our social media channels, to our Transfer Portal Wire.

The transfer portal wire provides a real-time feed of player activity, including basic player profile information, transfer portal ranking and original On3 Industry recruiting ranking, as well as NIL valuation (name, image and likeness).

Follow the On3 Transfer Portal Twitter account for real-time updates on the transfer portal entries and commitments.