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Auburn Adds Troy Transfer Tray Taylor to Already Loaded WR Room
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- Auburn Adds Troy Transfer Tray Taylor to Already Loaded WR Room
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
The Auburn Tigers made a late addition to their roster this week, adding to an already deep room with former Troy wide receiver Tray Taylor.
Taylor received another year of eligibility after a recent ruling opened the door for certain Class of 2022 players to play a fifth season. He spent last season at Troy, catching 30 passes for 499 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 16.6 yards per reception. He also carried the ball 10 times for 52 yards and another score.
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Before Troy, Taylor spent the 2024 season at Coastal Carolina after beginning his career at Tyler Junior College. He was a second-team JUCO All-American in 2023 after recording 39 receptions for 850 yards and nine touchdowns.
So why make this move so late?
Part of it is simply opportunity.
The new eligibility ruling created a very specific group of players who suddenly became available, and Taylor gives Auburn another experienced option without having to completely shake up the roster.
The Tigers also lost Duke Smith earlier this offseason, so Taylor helps replace some of those numbers in the receiver room.
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But finding offensive snaps may be difficult.
Auburn already has Chas Nimrod , Keshaun Singleton, Jeremiah Koger and Deshaun Spencer expected to have significant roles, while players such as Christian Neptune , Brian Williams Jr. and Sam Turner provide even more depth.
That's a lot of bodies competing for targets.
Where Taylor becomes interesting is special teams.
The speedy receiver has experience returning both punts and kickoffs, returning 12 kicks and six punts during his time at Coastal Carolina. He has also been used out of the backfield and carried the ball 16 times for 110 yards over the last two seasons.
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Auburn has an X-factor in the return game in cornerback Rayshawn Pleasant , but he's expected to pick up a bigger role on Auburn's defense this season. That could be a signal as to why they believed they needed to add Taylor to the mix.
That versatility may ultimately provide his clearest path onto the field.
Meanwhile, there were reports at practice on Tuesday that wide receiver Bryce Cain was taking reps with the secondary, specifically at cornerback. It's unclear whether that move is related to the addition of Taylor, but it's worth watching, as we are just over two weeks away from opening kickoff in Atlanta against the Baylor Bears.
As for Taylor, he obviously doesn't need to arrive at Auburn and become one of Byrum Brown's top targets for this addition to work. If he can provide another explosive option in the return game, contribute on special teams, and give Auburn additional speed and depth in the slot, there is value in adding him.
Especially this late in fall camp.
Auburn already appeared to have one of its deepest position groups at wide receiver.
Now it gets even deeper.
