Highly regarded young Auburn defensive backs Colton Hood and Tyler Scott have entered the transfer portal according to several reports from On3 and 247Sports.

It’s a somewhat stunning move for players who were thought of extremely highly by their teammates and coaches and in line to be key parts of Auburn’s secondary in the future.

At Auburn’s Pro Day, former Auburn defensive backs Jaylin Simpson and DJ James immediately mentioned Hood and Scott when asked who was next up for Auburn among its wide array of young defensive backs.

Hood was in competition this spring for a starting spot, but appears to be behind both Keionte Scott and Kayin Lee on the depth chart.

Tyler Scott was another one of the bigger risers of spring practice.

The combined losses are easily Auburn’s most unexpected of the offseason. Both former four-star recruits have clear paths to future playing time, but may not find it consistently in 2024.

Neither Hood nor Scott had significant playing time in 2023 — both redshirted because of Auburn’s desire to keep them around for its long-term outlook.

In the short term, it limits the depth of Auburn’s secondary but neither were likely to start just yet. It does mean Auburn now almost assuredly has to go find another cornerback at least in the transfer portal.

Auburn’s secondary after the departure of four starters from last season’s team — Simpson, James, Nehemiah Pritchett and Zion Puckett — is defined by its youth.

Without Scott and Hood, Auburn still has 10 defensive backs with sophomore or younger eligibility. That young wave is highlighted by Lee. Auburn also added four incoming freshmen out of high school as well as sophomore Antonio Kite as a transfer from Alabama.

As things stand now, Auburn is not going to be able to withstand many injuries in the secondary, and certainly lacks experience.

After adding two defensive tackles and an edge rusher over a 24-hour stretch between Sunday and Monday, head coach Hugh Freeze now has a new transfer portal question.