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SEC Football: Most important newcomers for each team in 2021

By Dante Pryor

A welcome message for the new University of Tennessee football coach, Josh Heupel on a billboard on Alcoa Highway in Knoxville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021.Coach Josh Heupel 2021 125333
A welcome message for the new University of Tennessee football coach, Josh Heupel on a billboard on Alcoa Highway in Knoxville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021.Coach Josh Heupel 2021 125333 /
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Jan 1, 2021; Orlando, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers tight ends coach Leonard Porter (left) talks with newly named head coach Bryan Harsin before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2021; Orlando, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers tight ends coach Leonard Porter (left) talks with newly named head coach Bryan Harsin before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Auburn Tigers

Anytime a program changes coaches, it is difficult to figure out how recruits will impact the program. In the case of the Auburn Tigers, it might not be as difficult. Bryan Harsin’s arrival at Auburn resulted in heavy attrition for the Tigers in the transfer portal. Most of their losses were on defense. None bigger than Markaviest “Big Kat” Bryant.

Bryant followed his head coach to Orlando, joining Gus Malzahn at UCF. The Tigers lose their top three receivers to the NFL draft and graduation, but Auburn did not sign any skill offensive players with a huge “wow” factor. They did on defense, however, and these three could have an impact on the season.

  • Lee Hunter, DT: Hunter comes to Auburn as a plug-and-play, situational defensive tackle with lots of room to grow. At nearly 300 pounds, Hunter still has lots of room to grow and not lose any explosion. Hunter’s size 6-foot-5 makes him a natural space-eater willing and capable of taking on double teams to allow the linebackers behind him to make plays. Though Hunter lacks a full complement of moves against offensive linemen, he is powerful. As he adds a repertoire of moves, Hunter can grow into a fantastic interior defender.
  • Ahmari Harvey, S: Harvey is another young recruit that can play right away in certain situations. Though he is not big (5-foot-10 and 171 pounds), Harvey has room to grow physically. Despite the small stature, the Florida native is an elite athlete with Power Five-level ball skills. Harvey has to adapt to not being the best athlete on the field from a smaller school in Florida. Even if Harvey does not see much of the field as a safety, he could contribute to special teams returning kicks and punts with his sprinter speed.
  • Kamal Hadden, CB: Hadden earned the nickname Pacman because he gobbles the ball defensively. The junior college transfer is a natural ballhawk with elite skills with the ball in the air. Hadden is slight (185 pounds on a 6-foot-2 inch frame), but he is willing to mix it up in the run game, especially if that means stripping the ball and forcing a fumble. Hadden is a natural at creating turnovers and creating chaos on defense. The Tigers are going to need that facing so many high-powered offenses next season.
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