One of the downsides of playing for a losing team is that individual performances often go unnoticed. Just because a team is struggling doesn’t mean its players can’t have standout seasons.
This seems to be the case for Auburn Tigers wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who has arguably been the team’s MVP through the first half of the season. The former Penn State star has recorded 24 receptions for 510 yards and six touchdowns, a career-high in touchdowns. He’s on track to surpass the 673 yards he tallied last year with the Nittany Lions.
Lambert-Smith’s 510 receiving yards place him 4th in the SEC, and his six touchdowns are tied for the lead.
ESPN+ ranked the top 50 newcomers in college football, including both freshmen and transfers, and Lambert-Smith came in at No. 42—the only Auburn player to make the list.
“Lambert-Smith was one of the more proven and sought-after players in the spring transfer portal, and he’s on his way to a career-best season with the Tigers,” wrote Eli Lederman and Max Olson on ESPN+. “The 6-foot-1, 182-pound senior ranks fourth in the SEC in receiving yards, turning 24 catches into 510 yards and six scores. After having five catches of 50-plus yards during his four years at Penn State, he already has four such catches this season in Hugh Freeze’s offense.”
Lambert-Smith’s impact is especially remarkable given Auburn’s well-documented quarterback issues.
However, being ranked No. 42 in isolation doesn’t carry much weight. Is that ranking fair?
It’s difficult to compare “impact” across positions, but looking at the other wide receivers on the list, it seems Lambert-Smith should rank higher.
Ohio State freshman Jeremiah Smith is No. 2 with 553 yards and seven touchdowns, while Alabama’s Ryan Williams is No. 3 with 576 yards and six touchdowns.
“Impact” is a subjective term, and national exposure might play a role. Smith and Williams are exceptional players, but being on top-10 teams like Ohio State and Alabama automatically garners more attention.
To be clear, this isn’t suggesting that Smith or Williams should be lower on the list.
Further down at No. 15 is Texas’ Isaiah Bond, who has 369 yards and three touchdowns. Of course, Texas is ranked No. 1 in the nation.
A pattern is starting to emerge.
At No. 21, we find Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt, who has 513 yards and two touchdowns. Indiana isn’t Texas, Ohio State, or Alabama, but they are 6-0 and one of the season’s Cinderella teams.
One could argue that Lambert-Smith isn’t making much of an impact at Auburn. After all, the Tigers are 2-4 and likely would still be 2-4 without him. That’s the nature of subjective rankings.
However, it’s often not that complex.
Lambert-Smith’s debut season at Auburn compares favorably with several players ranked significantly higher on ESPN’s list.
Auburn fans and players have endured a tough first half of the season, and the losing record is costing players like Lambert-Smith some national attention.
The silver lining for these players is that the NFL doesn’t care about Auburn’s record. In fact, they’ll likely boost Lambert-Smith’s draft stock for excelling amid the team’s struggles.
Regardless of external rankings, it’s clear Auburn is better in 2024 because Lambert-Smith transferred from Penn State. His on-field contributions are evident now, and his impact on Auburn’s young receivers will continue after he moves on to the NFL.
Leave a Reply