Spring practice is underway at Auburn, and it's time to preview another position group ahead of A-Day, which will take place on Saturday, April 12, at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The next position group that we will examine in our spring breakdown series is the tight end room, which will be deep but inexperienced. The biggest departure from last season's room is Rivaldo Fairweather, who led the team in receiving yards during the 2023 season with a 38-catch, 394-yard season that ended with six receiving touchdowns. His 2024 stats were similar, with 31 catches for 372 yards. However, the pressure was taken off of him due to Auburn's talented pool of receivers that included KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Cam Coleman, and Malcolm Simmons.
The group will be headed up by fifth-year player Brandon Frazier and Maryland transfer Preston Howard this season. Frazier, who is back on the field following season-ending foot surgery last season, is doing great this spring, according to head coach Hugh Freeze. However, Freeze is ready to see what Howard, as well as his two tight end signees from high school, can do within the Auburn offense.
Here is a look at what the Auburn tight ends' room looks like as spring practice continues on the Plains.
No. 13 Hollis Davidson
- 2025 recruiting rankings (247Sports): 4-star TE, No. 12 TE, No. 31 recruit from Georgia
Davidson joins Auburn's roster as a talented tight end who could break into the rotation this fall. As a high school star at McIntosh High School in Peachtree City, Georgia, Davidson logged 72 catches for 1033 yards and seven touchdowns. His senior season was his best in terms of stats as he caught 31 passes for 432 yards and four scores.
No. 15 Preston Howard
- 2024 stats (at Maryland):11 games played,24 catches, 189 yards, 0 TD
- Career stats:24 games played, 37 catches, 39 yards, 1 TD
Howard transferred to Auburn last offseason to challenge Brandon Frazier for the top spot on the tight end depth chart. Howard hauled in 24 catches for 189 yards last season at Maryland and looks to be another receiving threat for Auburn quarterbacks.
No. 17 Rico Walker
- 2024 stats:5 games played, 0 catches, 0 yards, 0 TD
- Career stats:13 games played, 4 catches, 27 yards
Rico Walker played 24 snaps in his first season with Auburn following his transfer from Maryland. However, his overall grade improved from 46.4 to 57.9 according to Pro Football Focus, with pass blocking being his strong suit at 67.9.
No. 28 Camden Etheredge
- 2024 stats:2 games played, 0 catches, 0 yards, 0 TD
- Career stats:4 games played, 0 catches, 0 yards, 0 TD
Leeds native Camden Etheredge enters his fourth season with Auburn football looking to record his first stat as a tight end. He saw action in Auburn's wins over Alabama A&M and ULM, but did not notch a stat
No. 40 Hunter Ousley
- 2024 stats:1 game played, 0 catches, 0 yards, 0 TD
- Career stats:1 game played, 0 catches, 0 yards, 0 TD
Ousley appeared in one game as a true freshman in 2024 and will look to break into the rotation as a redshirt freshman this season. Ousley caught 26 passes for 314 yards and five touchdowns as a senior at ...
