5 potential quarterback targets for Auburn football in the transfer portal
With the transfer portal officially open until Dec. 28, there’s no more important position for Auburn to target than quarterback.
Payton Thorne, Hank Brown and Holden Geriner are all set to leave the program, meaning the Tigers currently have just two scholarship quarterbacks, incoming freshman Deuce Knight and redshirt freshman Walker White.
Hugh Freeze said on signing day that he plans to carry four scholarship quarterbacks on the roster in 2025, meaning Auburn would have to add two via the transfer portal. A number of recognizable quarterbacks have already entered the portal, giving Freeze and the staff options.
Here are five potential targets:
Ashton Daniels, Stanford
At the current moment, Daniels seems to be most likely quarterback for Auburn to sign, though he probably won’t be the only one.
On3’s Pete Nakos and Steve Wiltfong reported that Auburn is in the lead for Daniels, predicting the Tigers to land the Stanford signal caller.
Daniels’ 2024 numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page, throwing for 1,700 yards and 10 touchdowns, but 12 interceptions. He was effective as a runner, though, rushing for 669 yards and three touchdowns.
Given Auburn and Freeze’s offense, landing a dual threat quarterback could be a priority. While Daniels’ passing numbers aren’t anything to write home about, his style could be a fit in the offense.
If Auburn does land Daniels, it will likely still look to sign another transfer quarterback, meaning a starting job for Daniels is not a guarantee.
Kaidon Salter, Liberty
Salter has the most obvious connection with Auburn compared to the rest of the potential targets, playing under Freeze for two years at Liberty.
He fits the mold of how Freeze likes to run offense and there wouldn’t be much of a learning curve rejoining the system. Salter’s best season at Liberty came in 2023, throwing for 2,876 yards and 32 touchdowns while rushing for 1,089 yards and 12 touchdowns.
His numbers regressed in 2024, though, throwing for 1,886 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions while rushing for 587 yards and seven touchdowns.
On3 reported that Auburn has “shown interest” in Salter, along with Colorado and UCLA.
Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma
Arnold is one of the more fascinating quarterback options, given his up-and-down success at Oklahoma, but his five-star rating as a recruit.
During his redshirt freshmen season in 2024, Arnold 1,421 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions in 10 games, getting benched for two games close to the halfway point of the season, but finishing the year relatively strong.
He ran the ball more in the second half of the year, finishing the season with 444 rushing yards and three touchdowns. His most notable rushing performance came in Oklahoma’s upset win over Alabama where he ran for 131 yards on 25 carries.
When looking at Arnold’s 2024 numbers, it’s worth noting the injuries Oklahoma dealt with at wide receiver and the general dysfunction of the offense under now fired offensive coordinator Seth Littrell.
However, Arnold may be a tough one for Auburn to land, given his connection with Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby, who was his offensive coordinator at Oklahoma in 2023. On3 reported on Monday that Mississippi State is a “top school to watch,” regarding Arnold, predicting him to sign with the Bulldogs.
Darian Mensah, Tulane
Mensah was one of the top Group of 5 quarterbacks in the country this season, throwing for 2,723 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions, and doing so as a redshirt freshman.
Those numbers helped lead Tulane and first-year head coach John Sumrall to the American Athletic Conference Championship game. He also held a QBR of 76.5, ranking fourth among starting Group of 5 quarterbacks.
His rushing numbers aren’t as prolific as the other players on the list, but he remains one of the top available quarterback options in the transfer portal.
