Many athletes who may have gone via the transfer portal have returned to the Auburn Tigers.
The most recent example was Brian Battie, who was the Tigers’ third-string running back in 2023. Before it was revealed on Tuesday afternoon that Battie would, in fact, be withdrawing from the portal and returning for another season on the Plains, Battie had registered on the transfer portal a few days prior.
Thus far this summer, Hugh Freeze and Auburn have stopped several players from accessing the site or from withdrawing. Auburn has re-signed the following players for 2024:
RB Brian Battie
Battie played three seasons with the South Florida Bulls before coming to Auburn. During the course of 32 games with the USF, he ran for 1,841 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns. Battie ran for 227 yards and one touchdown while playing for the Tigers. He also returned 28 kicks for 645 yards.
He’ll be a useful return player for the special teams group in addition to the backfield.
DB Keionte Scott Scott declared that he will be staying on the Tigers for another season and removing his name from the transfer portal.
“I appreciate your patience and your candid feedback, but I really know where home is. #WDE “In a tweet, Scott stated. Damari Alston, an Auburn running back, cited the tweet and said, “Let’s do what we talked about…” Scott responded with, “Starts now (UP! emoji).”
Scott has tallied 97 tackles, six tackles for loss, and one interception for Auburn in 22 games. A significant portion of the Tigers’ defensive backfield from 2023 is gone: four of the ten cornerbacks who played a snap for Auburn in 2023 are no longer with the team. Out of the nine safeties, three are missing. Keionte’s return will be significant for the secondary.
TE Micah Riley-Riley, DuckerDucker had the option to use the transfer portal after the 2023 season, based on his position on the depth chart. Rather, he is opting to remain and is currently vying for playing time not only with the starting quarterback Rivaldo Fairweather but also with the former tight end from Maryland, Rico Walker. Walker started the year as a transfer to Auburn.
Dillon Wade, overtime
Wade was said to be heading into the transfer portal following his season at Auburn (having previously attended Tulsa). Wade may have hinted at his impending departure when he tweeted a peace sign emoji on January 8th, but he later replied to the message with, “I’m on the way to Auburn, Lock in!!” and a still from The Wolf of Wall Street, in which Leonardo DiCaprio declares he isn’t leaving his company.
In 2024, Auburn will require as much assistance as possible on the offensive line.
EDGE Jalen McLeod McLeod also had the option to transfer out of Auburn, but he was more interested in the NFL Draft. Rather, he returned, and the Tigers’ defense line was in dire need of it.
Due to injury, McLeod had a difficult start to 2023 before exploding in the second half of the campaign. In all, he racked up 48 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. Perhaps his best year yet, the former transfer from Appalachian State returns to Auburn for one more season.
DB Kayin Lee
Following some uncertainty regarding Lee’s Tiger status, the former four-star cornerback made the decision to play his sophomore year at Auburn. He started the Music City Bowl and participated in all 13 of the Tigers’ games this season.
Six pass deflections, one forced fumble, two tackles for loss, and eighteen tackles were also part of his stats.
After graduating from high school, Lee was greatly sought after. According to 247Sports, he was the second-best-rated talent in Auburn’s 2023 recruiting class with a composite rating of 0.9386.
It would be quite important to have him back for 2024, especially with the inexperienced backfield this season.