It's a matter of public record that Auburn's recruiting had taken a significant step back during the last year of Gus Malzahn and the two tumultuous years under Bryan Harsin. Hugh Freeze did an admirable job salvaging the 2022 class by flipping some major targets in the final few weeks. Some of those freshmen will be counted on to grow up early and have the talent to do so. However, the most impressive work Freeze has done has been in the transfer portal. The Tigers have brought in 21 new players to bolster the roster and address a lot of specific needs. In this new age of college football, transfer portal classes are now ranked just like high school recruiting classes.

Freeze and staff have put together the No. 2 ranked transfer class in the country and have brought in more four-star players (11) than any other program. Auburn will hardly resemble last year's team with new starters up-and-down the lineup on both sides of the ball. Considering the Tigers are coming off back-to-back losing seasons, I think that can only be considered good news. Let's take a look at the upcoming season in terms of a ceiling and basement.

Andy Graham is a regular columnist for The Outlook.