Auburn baseball: Five players join roster through transfer portal
Auburn baseball experienced a historical weekend by hosting its first-ever NCAA Super Regional, and the Tigers' coaching staff took full advantage by using it as an edge to fuel its transfer portal recruiting efforts.
While Auburn fans were cheering on the Tigers at Plainsman Park, several transfer portal targets were fielding recruiting pitches behind the scenes. The 2026 roster is now taking shape as five experienced transfers are set to join the team in their pursuit of another College World Series appearance.
Several key names will need to be replaced next season as Cooper McMurray, Carson Myers, Deric Fabian, and Sam Dutton are out of eligibility, and Ike Irish is receiving first-round chatter ahead of next month's MLB draft. Players such as Bub Terrell, Chris Rembert, Eric Snow, Chase Fralick, and Cade Belyeu are set to return next season, and the addition of these transfers will fit in nicely as Butch Thompson aims to fill the voids with the best talent available.
Here is a look at the haul Auburn baseball secured over the weekend from the transfer portal.
Jake Marciano
Auburn added a left-handed pitcher in Jake Marciano, a rising sophomore, over the weekend. Marciano was Virginia Tech's primary Saturday starter this season, and finished with a 4-2 record with a 6.08 ERA and 71 strikeouts. He struck out at least two batters in all but one of his 14 starts this season, and struck out a personal-best nine batters in the Hokies 6-1 win over Notre Dame on April 5, where he allowed one earned run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
2025 stats (Virginia Tech): 4-2, 6.08 ERA, 15 appearances (14 starts), 60 2/3 innings pitched, 70 hits, 42 runs allowed (41 earned), 71 strikeouts, 18 walks
Ryne Farber
Auburn added an infield piece in Ryan Farber, a shortstop from Texas State. The switch hitter has recorded at least two home runs, 48 hits, and 25 RBI over the last two seasons. He struck out 36 times last season, up from the nine he recorded as a freshman in 2024, but his stolen base production has increased from eight in 2024 to 17 in 2025. In the field, he fielded at a .962 clip in 2025 while recording 75 putouts and just eight errors.
2025 stats (Texas State): .267 average, 59 hits, 4 home runs, 33 RBI, 30 walks, 36 strikeouts, 17 stolen bases
Drew Whalen
Whalen, a right-handed pitcher from Western Kentucky, earned a spot on the Conference-USA All-Freshman team in 2024, and followed suit as a sophomore by building a 9-3 record in 16 starts, where he struck out 90 batters and walked 31 over 81 2/3 innings. His season-best performance came against Sam Houston State, where he struck out 10 batters and allowed zero runs on three hits over 6 2/3 innings. He led the conference in wins (9), fifth in ERA (3.53), and third in strikeouts (90).
2025 stats (Western Kentucky): 9-3 record, 3.53 ERA, 16 appearances (16 starts), 81 2/3 innings, 90 strikeouts, 31 walks.
Todd Clay
There is no place like home. That is the case for Todd Clay, who returns to his hometown club after spending the 2025 season at UAB. Clay had a magical season at UAB, where he led the team in several categories inclduing hits (69), and slugging percentage (.539). The former Blazer infielder logged a .962 clip this season with only five errors and 31 putouts.
Clay, a graduate of Auburn High School, was a member of the Tigers' 2021 state championship squad and is a member of the All-American Athletic Conference 2nd team.
2025 stats (UAB): .361 average, 53 games played (53 starts), 69 hits, 7 home runs, 51 RBI, .539 slugging percentage, six stolen bases, .962 fielding
Garett Brewer
The third pitching commit of the weekend is a left-hander formerly of Michigan State, Garrett Brewer. The rising junior appeared in 17 games in relief for the Spartans this season, where he recorded a career-high in innings pitched (34 1/3), strikeouts (41), opponent batting average (.223), and ERA (3.47). In Michigan State's 11-10 win over Minnesota on May 17, Brewer logged a season-best seven strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
2025 stats (Michigan State): 2-2 record, 3.47 ERA, 17 appearances (0 starts), 1 save, 34 1/3 innings pitched, 41 strikeouts, 13 walks
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
11 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Virginia Tech responds to accusations made by HBCU coach
Virginia Tech has responded to serious allegations from North Carolina Central head coach Trei Oliver. Oliver claims a Virginia Tech assistant coach was on the sideline of the Durham, NC HBCU last season in an attempt to recruit one of his players. In a statement released Saturday, Virginia Tech stated that it had no prior knowledge of the incident. 'This is the first time the issue has been brought to our attention, and no concern has previously been shared with us through any formal channel,' the statement read. 'Virginia Tech takes all NCAA rules seriously and is committed to conducting our program with integrity. We are reviewing the matter internally and will address any findings appropriately.' The comments came after Oliver spoke at a media event on Friday. When asked about the most outrageous moment of his coaching career, he pointed to an incident during the 2024 season. 'Virginia Tech was actually on my sideline recruiting our running back,' Oliver said. 'That was pretty bold. I couldn't believe it.' Oliver said the moment caused a stir during the game. Several of his assistant coaches tried to calm him down, suggesting the visitor was just there to watch. 'He's just down here visiting,' they told him. But Oliver wasn't buying it. 'I knew what it was,' he said. Star Running Back Transfers to UVA Oliver didn't name the player during the interview, but it appears that it was his star running back J'Mari Taylor. Taylor was a first-team all-conference performer and has since transferred to the University of Virginia. Taylor is expected to be part of the Cavaliers' running back rotation this fall. UVA is scheduled to play Virginia Tech on November 29. 'Thank God he went to UVA,' Oliver said. 'And UVA is going to beat the smoke out of them other folks.' Broader Implications Oliver's claim has sparked conversation around recruiting ethics and the treatment of HBCU programs in the modern college football landscape. The NCAA transfer portal has created new opportunities, but also new risks-especially for smaller programs trying to retain their top talent. As Virginia Tech begins its internal review, the coaching world is paying close attention. Oliver's story raises important questions about access, tampering, and respect across all levels of college football. The post Virginia Tech responds to accusations made by HBCU coach appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
USA Today
13 hours ago
- USA Today
Former Texas A&M guard has signed an international deal with the Maccabi Basketball Club
Former Texas A&M guard Tyrece "Boots" Radford solidified his standing as one of the program's more popular players over the last decade after transferring from Virginia Tech, following then-head coach Buzz Williams to College Station to join the Aggies ahead of the 2021 season. After three seasons, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament, Radford went undrafted. Following a brief stint in the NBA Summer League, his international career began. During the 2025 season, Radford played for Final Spor Genclik Bursa of the Basketbol Süper Ligi, a part of the Turkish Basketball Federation, and averaged 19.4 points, six rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, which is very impressive for a first-year guard entering the international league. On Sunday, it was announced that Radford is returning to action and will join the Maccabi Basketball Club of Ra'anana in Israel for the 2025-2026 season. This is fairly typical in international play, as most players do not sign long-term contracts, unlike in the NBA. Based on his performance in Turkey last season, averaging nearly 20 points per game would have warranted a longer stay; however, that's just how quickly international player movement occurs. During his time at Texas A&M, Radford's elite defensive skill set translates perfectly to the NBA. However, his injury history, coupled with his lack of quickness, places him in a unique spot: still young enough, at the age of 26, to potentially land on an NBA roster in the near future. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
13 hours ago
- USA Today
NC Central coach accuses Virginia Tech of tampering on team's sideline
North Carolina Central head coach Trei Oliver accused a Virginia Tech coach of tampering last season, and the Hokies are now looking into the matter. Oliver raised the accusation at a media event on July 25 when he was asked about his top "you got to be kidding me" story. The fifth-year coach said prior to the contest against Howard − the final home game of the season − he noticed a Virginia Tech staff member on his team's sideline. REQUIRED READING: Big Ten's rigged College Football Playoff plan shut down by SEC "Virginia Tech was actually on my sideline recruiting our running back," Oliver told said, according to WRAL News. The running back wasn't named, but Oliver said it was a player that ended up transferring to Virginia. J'Mari Taylor was the team's leading rusher in 2024 and is now with the Cavaliers. Oliver recalled assistant coaches were trying to calm him down about the situation but he was agitated by seeing the Virginia Tech staff member. In that game, Taylor ran for a season-high 206 yards and three touchdowns in a victory. After Oliver's comments, Virginia Tech released a statement that it reviewing the accusations. "This is the first time the issue has been brought to our attention, and no concern has previously been shared with us through any formal channel," the statement read. "Virginia Tech takes all NCAA rules seriously and is committed to conducting our program with integrity. We are reviewing the matter internally and will address any findings appropriately." After the alleged incident, Oliver was glad to see his player not end up with the Hokies, and hopes Virginia "kick Virginia Tech's butt." Taylor is expected to have a major role in Virginia's offense. The annual "Commonwealth Clash" between the Cavaliers and Hokies will take place in the 2025 season finale on Nov. 29 in Charlottesville.
