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
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Fox Sports
15 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Who Wore It Best? Greatest College Football Players by Jersey Number, 76-99
Imagine this: You're at a sports bar with a group of friends when someone asks — who is the greatest college football player to ever wear No. 34? How do you decide between six Hall of Fame running backs — all of whom topped 3,500 yards and 40 touchdowns during their college careers? That's the debate our staff at FOX Sports faced when picking the greatest college football players by jersey number. This list is based on how players performed during their college careers. Factors taken into consideration include prestigious accolades, like the Heisman Trophy and All-American selections, as well as statistics and winning percentage. That said, we've already done Nos. 1-25 , Nos. 26-50 and Nos. 51-75 , and here's a look at the greatest players in college football history to wear Nos. 76-99. No. 76: Warren Sapp, DT, Miami (Fla.) Sapp's explosive athleticism and never-ending motor earned him All-American honors in back-to-back seasons at Miami. As a junior at Miami in 1984, Sapp put together one of the most impressive seasons for a defensive lineman in program history. He totaled 84 tackles and 10.5 sacks while winning the Bronco Nagurski Trophy and the Lombardi Award. Honorable mentions: Steve Hutchinson (Michigan), Carl Eller (Minnesota), Russell Okung (Oklahoma State) No. 77: Red Grange, HB, Illinois Nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost" for his blazing speed and elusiveness, Grange's style of running was well ahead of his time. He played both ways, but his biggest impact was on the offensive side of the ball as a halfback, rushing for more than 3,300 yards and 31 rushing touchdowns during his collegiate career. His most memorable performance came against Michigan during the 1924 season when he rushed for more than 500 yards and scored five touchdowns. He was a three-time All-American and helped lead Illinois to a national title in 1923. Honorable mentions: Jake Long (Michigan), Anthony Munoz (USC), Taylor Lewan (Michigan) No. 78: Bruce Smith, DE, Virginia Tech Known as one of the most unstoppable pass rushers in college football history, Smith starred at Virginia Tech from 1981-84. His explosiveness off the snap was simply unmatched. Smith recorded a jaw-dropping 22 sacks during the 1983 season, earning him the nickname "The Sack Man." He was a consensus All-American and the winner of the Outland Trophy in 1984. To this day, Smith remains the Hokies' all-time leader in sacks with 46. Honorable mentions: Bryant McKinnie (Miami), Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame) No. 79: Jonathan Ogden, OT, UCLA Standing at 6-foot-9 and weighing nearly 350 pounds, Ogden was one of the most physically imposing offensive tackles in college football history. A four-year starter at UCLA from 1992-95, Odgen put together an outstanding career during his time in Westwood, helping lead the Bruins to the 1993 Pac-10 championship and Rose Bowl. In 23 games during his junior and senior seasons, Odgen allowed only two sacks while earning all-conference honors each year. In 1995, he received both the Outland and the Morris Trophy while being named a consensus All-American. Honorable mentions: Rich Glover (Nebraska), Tony Mandarich (Michigan State), Buck Buchanan (Grambling) No. 80: Rick Bryan, DT, Oklahoma Bryan finished his Oklahoma career as the program's all-time leader in tackles by a defensive lineman, recording 365 in his career. He was a two-time All-American and was named the Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year in 1982. The Sooners went 22-5-1 in Big Eight play during Bryan's collegiate career. Honorable mentions: Ron Beagle (Navy), Donn Moomaw (UCLA), Eric Curry (Alabama) No. 81: Tim Brown, WR, Notre Dame Brown had elite-level athleticism and speed, which made him a big-play threat every time he took the field. He was an all-purpose weapon, playing wide receiver and returning kicks and punts for the Fighting Irish. He finished his career at Notre Dame with 137 catches for 2,493 yards, a school-record 5,024 all-purpose yards, and 22 touchdowns. When he graduated in 1987, he held 19 different program records. Brown finished his career as a two-time All-American and the winner of the 1987 Heisman Trophy, becoming the first wide receiver to win the award. Honorable mentions: George Connor (Notre Dame), Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State) No. 82: Leon Hart, TE/DE, Notre Dame How good was Hart during his career at Notre Dame? The two-way star never lost a game during his time in South Bend, compiling a 46-0-2 record and winning three national championships. Hart won the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award during the 1949 season after leading Notre Dame to a perfect 10-0 record and outscoring its opponents 360-86. Honorable mentions: Ozzie Newsome (Alabama), Greg Olsen (Miami), Al Harris (Arizona State) No. 83: Richard Wood, LB, USC USC has multiple representatives on this list, but Wood is the only player who was a three-time All-American during his time as a Trojan. A lightning-quick linebacker who was known for his hard-hitting tackles, Wood helped lead the Trojans to two national championships during his three years in college. Honorable mentions: Kellen Winslow (Missouri) No. 84: Jerry Robinson, LB, UCLA Another three-time All-American linebacker makes the list here. Robinson was a dominant defender for the Bruins in the late 1970s, finishing his college career with 468 tackles, which was a program record. He set a school record with 28 tackles in a single game against Air Force in 1976. He ranked first, second and third nationally in tackles over three seasons with 167, 159 and 147, respectively. Honorable mentions: Abe Mickal (LSU), Marcus Spears (LSU), Shaun Cody (USC) No. 85: Jim Seymour, WR, Notre Dame Seymour is known as one of the greatest players in Notre Dame history, and he made a huge splash right off the bat, catching 13 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns in his first-ever collegiate game. Seymour was a three-time All-American selection and finished his career at Notre Dame with 138 catches for 2,113 yards and 16 touchdowns. He left as the program's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. Honorable mentions: Jack Snow (Notre Dame), Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma), Walter Patulski (Notre Dame) No. 86: Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State A unanimous All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 1999, Brown enjoyed a dominant college career at Penn State. He finished his career with a Penn State-record 33 sacks and added 70 tackles for loss. Brown went on to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Honorable mentions: Dave Casper (Notre Dame) No. 87: Herman Moore, WR, Virginia Moore was a standout wide receiver at Virginia from 1998-90. Standing at 6-4 with blazing fast speed and a 44-inch vertical leap, Moore was near uncoverable down the field. He set multiple Virginia and ACC records during his collegiate career, hauling in a total of 120 passes for 2,713 yards and 32 touchdowns. He was a consensus All-American during the 1990 season and his No. 87 is retired by the University of Virginia. Honorable mentions: Chad Hennings (Air Force), Bill Carpenter (Army) No. 88: Randy Moss, WR, Marshall Choosing between Randy Moss and Jerry Rice for the best collegiate player to wear No. 88 was far from an easy task, but it's impossible to deny just how dominant Moss was during his two-year career at Marshall. The 6-4 Moss was a once-in-a-generation talent who overwhelmed opposing defenses with his elite combination of size and speed. He finished his college career with 174 receptions for 3,529 yards and 54 receiving touchdowns, an average of nearly two touchdowns per game. Moss was a consensus All-American in 1997, as well as the Biletnikoff Award winner and a Heisman Trophy finalist. Honorable mentions: Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State), Keith Jackson (Oklahoma) No. 89: Ross Browner, DE, Notre Dame There is a strong argument to be made that Browner was the most dominant defender in Notre Dame history. In addition to being a two-team All-American, Browner helped lead the Fighting Irish to a pair of national championships and still holds the record for the most tackles in a career by a Notre Dame defensive lineman with 340. He won the Outland Trophy in 1976 and both the Lombardi and Maxwell Awards in 1977, finishing his career as one of the most accomplished linemen in college football history. Honorable mentions: Mike Ditka (Pitt), Barney Poole (Ole Miss, Army and North Carolina) No. 90: George Webster, LB, Michigan State Webster played a hybrid linebacker/safety role during his time at Michigan State, which was decades ahead of its time. His hybrid position allowed him to cover pass-catchers like a defensive back, stuff the run line as a linebacker and rush the passer like an edge rusher. He was the leader on defense for the Spartans' back-to-back national championship seasons in 1965 and 1966, earning All-American honors in both seasons. Webster is one of only four players to have his jersey retired by Michigan State. Honorable mentions: Steve Emtman (Washington) No. 91: Dewey Selmon, DT, Oklahoma Selmon was a disruptive defender during his time at Oklahoma. In his four years at OU, the Sooners posted an impressive 43-2-1 record, which included four straight Big Eight titles and back-to-back national championships in 1974 and '75. He was a two-time first-team All-Conference performer and a two-time All-American. Honorable mentions: Doug Atkins (Tennessee), Tamba Hali (Penn State) No. 92: Reggie White, DE, Tennessee The Minister of Defense was a dominant force on the defensive line during his time at Tennessee. He finished his four-year career in Knoxville with 293 tackles and a jaw-dropping 32 sacks. He was named the SEC Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American after recording a program-record 15 sacks in his senior season. Honorable mentions: Tony Casillas (Oklahoma) No. 93: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska Suh is among the greatest defensive tackles in college football history. He finished his career at Nebraska with 215 tackles, 50 tackles for loss and 24 sacks. During his senior year, Suh put together one of the greatest seasons of all time for a defensive player, totaling 85 tackles and 12 sacks en route to being named a unanimous All-American and the AP Player of the Year. Suh was the first defensive tackle in a quarter-century to be invited to the Heisman Trophy ceremony, finishing fourth in the 2009 race. Honorable mentions: Lee Roy Selmon (Oklahoma), Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma) No. 94: Randy White, DT, Maryland From one unstoppable defensive tackle to another, White was a force for the Terrapins in the mid-70s. By his senior year, opposing offenses were double and even triple-teaming him, but he still managed to wreak havoc, totaling 105 tackles and 12 sacks during the 1974 season. That year, White was named a consensus All-American and the winner of both the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award. Honorable mentions: Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue), Mike Vrabel (Ohio State), Alfred Williams (Colorado) No. 95: Bubba Smith, DE, Michigan State Arguably the most accomplished player in Michigan State football history, Smith was a two-time All-American, helping lead the Spartans to back-to-back national championships in 1965 and 1966. Standing at 6-7 and weighing 266 pounds, Smith was physically dominant and nearly unblockable during his college career. Honorable mentions: Gordon Hudson (BYU) No. 96: Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon Ngata had rare physical tools for a defensive tackle, using his combination of elite size, strength and power to anchor the middle of the Ducks' defense. He recorded 130 tackles and 18 tackles for loss during his college career en route to being named a consensus All-American and the 2005 Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Honorable mentions: Cortez Kennedy (Miami), Danny Stubbs (Miami) No. 97: Cornelius Bennett, LB, Alabama Deciding between Cornelius Bennett, Aaron Donald and Tommie Harris for the greatest collegiate player to wear No. 97 was no easy task, but it's impossible to ignore the elite-level production that Bennett had in his four seasons at Alabama. A three-time All-American, Bennett finished his college career with 287 tackles, 21.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries. As a senior, Bennett won the Lombardi Award and finished seventh in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy. Honorable mentions: Aaron Donald (Pitt), Tommie Harris (Oklahoma), Joey Bosa (Ohio State) No. 98: Tom Harmon, HB, Michigan Michigan has one of the richest college football histories of any program, but ask anyone about the greatest players in school history, and it's impossible not to mention Harmon, the first Wolverine to win the Heisman Trophy. He led the nation in scoring in 1939 and 1940 and put together an unforgettable performance in the final game of his senior season, rushing for two touchdowns, throwing for two touchdowns and intercepting three passes in a win over Ohio State. Honorable mentions: Lawrence Taylor (North Carolina) No. 99: Hugh Green, DE, Pitt Green was one of the most decorated defensive players in college football history. He was a four-year starter at Pitt, totaling 460 tackles and 53 sacks during his collegiate career. A three-time consensus All-American, Green was a key figure in making Pitt a national powerhouse in the late 70s. He won almost every major defensive award following the 1980 season, including the Lombardi, Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards, while finishing second in the Heisman Trophy race, the highest finish for a purely defensive player at the time. Honorable mentions: J.J. Watt (Wisconsin), Jay Berwanger (Chicago) Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
NBC Sports
16 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Virginia Tech and South Carolina to clash in Atlanta with deep family ties
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Virginia Tech opens its fourth season under Brent Pry with a marquee game against South Carolina in Atlanta on Aug. 31, marking a meeting of two programs with deep ties to one family. The Gamecocks are coached by Shane Beamer, the son of former longtime Hokies coach Frank Beamer. Frank Beamer coached Virginia Tech for 29 years with a run as a perennial bowl team — including playing for the national championship for the 1999 season — while winning 238 games. So Pry faced a tough question: who will Beamer be rooting for? 'He loves Virginia Tech an awful lot but he loves his son first,' Pry said with a chuckle. 'I think if you ask Frank's wife, she'd be like, 'My son is where it's at, you kidding me?'' Pry said he had mentioned the opener to Beamer. 'He said, 'I just want both teams to play really well,'' Pry said. 'It's pretty awesome for him and his family, I think, to have this game. It's a great setup, appreciate the folks that planned it. It's an awesome opportunity for our team. But the connection between the Beamers and Virginia Tech, it's got a nice storyline to it.' Hey, what about the Wolfpack? Just moments after North Carolina's Bill Belichick and Clemson's Dabo Swinney held court to a packed interview room at ACC media days, North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren and his players arrived to much less fanfare. Only a few handful of reporters remained to hear what the Wolfpack had to say. That lack of attention didn't surprise NC State quarterback CJ Bailey. 'I do feel like we're the underdogs,' Bailey said. 'We have so much to prove and I can't wait to show it. There's a lot of people that don't believe that NC State football can make it to ACC championship and win it, and I think we can because we have a lot of brotherhood.' Bailey said NC State is motivated by a rough 6-7 season a year ago under Doeren that culminated in a 26-21 loss to in-state rival East Carolina in the Go Bowling Military Bowl. 'The things we went through last year, especially the guys that returned, they saw what happened,' Bailey said. 'We need to do more this year.' Different muscles Duke's Wesley Williams has found a new test beyond chasing down quarterbacks: hot yoga and Pilates. And it wasn't because of some long-thought-out plan, either. 'Truth be told, my girlfriend,' Williams said. 'She said, 'You're coming with me.'' The 6-foot-3, 278 pound defensive end who had nine sacks last year said he has been going to those types of classes about once or twice per week during the summer. And he's gotten feedback from scouting experts saying it's the kind of training pro players are utilizing more. Williams said it's improved his core strength. It's also required some humility. 'I've looked bad in those classes before,' he said with a laugh. 'The ladies in there, they'll tell you I look horrible, catching cramps in there, the whole nine yards. It's gotten pretty bad, but honestly it's really fun. 'It's just different muscles. You've got to respect every type of workout. You go in there thinking you're the big dog because you can bench and squat, and it means nothing in there.' Boston College WR eyes record Boston College wide receiver Lewis Bond is zeroing in on Zay Flowers' school record for career receptions and yards receiving this season. Lewis enters his third season as a starter needing 75 receptions and 1,665 yards to break the mark set by Flowers, who is now catching passes from Lamar Jackson with the Baltimore Ravens. 'It's definitely something I've thought about,' Bond said. 'It's a big accomplishment if I can do it. But I'm more focused on the team, more focused on winning games for the team, and that'll come naturally. That's what OB says. He says personal goals will come if the team accomplishes the goals we've trying to accomplish.' Bond emerged as the Eagles' most dangerous weapon over the past two seasons with 1,335 yards receiving and 119 catches during that span. He's hoping it's enough to garner attention from NFL scouts. 'I guess it would show the next level that I've been consistent for three years and also improvement over those three years. So that would be the biggest thing,' Bond said.
Fox Sports
16 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Virginia Tech and South Carolina to clash in Atlanta with deep family ties
Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Virginia Tech opens its fourth season under Brent Pry with a marquee game against South Carolina in Atlanta on Aug. 31, marking a meeting of two programs with deep ties to one family. The Gamecocks are coached by Shane Beamer, the son of former longtime Hokies coach Frank Beamer. Frank Beamer coached Virginia Tech for 29 years with a run as a perennial bowl team — including playing for the national championship for the 1999 season — while winning 238 games. So Pry faced a tough question: who will Beamer be rooting for? 'He loves Virginia Tech an awful lot but he loves his son first,' Pry said with a chuckle. 'I think if you ask Frank's wife, she'd be like, 'My son is where it's at, you kidding me?'' Pry said he had mentioned the opener to Beamer. 'He said, 'I just want both teams to play really well,'' Pry said. 'It's pretty awesome for him and his family, I think, to have this game. It's a great setup, appreciate the folks that planned it. It's an awesome opportunity for our team. But the connection between the Beamers and Virginia Tech, it's got a nice storyline to it.' Hey, what about the Wolfpack? Just moments after North Carolina's Bill Belichick and Clemson's Dabo Swinney held court to a packed interview room at ACC media days, North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren and his players arrived to much less fanfare. Only a few handful of reporters remained to hear what the Wolfpack had to say. That lack of attention didn't surprise NC State quarterback CJ Bailey. 'I do feel like we're the underdogs,' Bailey said. 'We have so much to prove and I can't wait to show it. There's a lot of people that don't believe that NC State football can make it to ACC championship and win it, and I think we can because we have a lot of brotherhood.' Bailey said NC State is motivated by a rough 6-7 season a year ago under Doeren that culminated in a 26-21 loss to in-state rival East Carolina in the Go Bowling Military Bowl. 'The things we went through last year, especially the guys that returned, they saw what happened,' Bailey said. 'We need to do more this year.' Different muscles Duke's Wesley Williams has found a new test beyond chasing down quarterbacks: hot yoga and Pilates. And it wasn't because of some long-thought-out plan, either. 'Truth be told, my girlfriend,' Williams said. 'She said, 'You're coming with me.'' The 6-foot-3, 278 pound defensive end who had nine sacks last year said he has been going to those types of classes about once or twice per week during the summer. And he's gotten feedback from scouting experts saying it's the kind of training pro players are utilizing more. Williams said it's improved his core strength. It's also required some humility. 'I've looked bad in those classes before,' he said with a laugh. 'The ladies in there, they'll tell you I look horrible, catching cramps in there, the whole nine yards. It's gotten pretty bad, but honestly it's really fun. 'It's just different muscles. You've got to respect every type of workout. You go in there thinking you're the big dog because you can bench and squat, and it means nothing in there.' Boston College WR eyes record Boston College wide receiver Lewis Bond is zeroing in on Zay Flowers' school record for career receptions and yards receiving this season. Lewis enters his third season as a starter needing 75 receptions and 1,665 yards to break the mark set by Flowers, who is now catching passes from Lamar Jackson with the Baltimore Ravens. 'It's definitely something I've thought about,' Bond said. 'It's a big accomplishment if I can do it. But I'm more focused on the team, more focused on winning games for the team, and that'll come naturally. That's what OB says. He says personal goals will come if the team accomplishes the goals we've trying to accomplish.' Bond emerged as the Eagles' most dangerous weapon over the past two seasons with 1,335 yards receiving and 119 catches during that span. He's hoping it's enough to garner attention from NFL scouts. 'I guess it would show the next level that I've been consistent for three years and also improvement over those three years. So that would be the biggest thing,' Bond said. ___ AP college football: and recommended Item 1 of 3
