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Hugh Freeze has landed several top recruits since taking over as Auburn‘s head coach prior to the 2023 season. However, the results of positive recruiting have yet to show on the field. Entering year three, Freeze is in a “make-or-break” situation according to one outlet.
The Sporting News recently revealed its preseason ranking of SEC head coaches, with Freeze checking in near the bottom at No. 14. Freeze ranks above Clark Lea of Vanderbilt and Jeff Lebby at Mississippi State, and is below Arkansas‘ Sam Pittman to begin the new season. The Sporting News cites his 11-14 record with just five SEC wins in two seasons at Auburn as reasons for a low rating and for fan uneasyness. However, a solid third season on the Plains could push him, and the program, in the right direction.
That said, Freeze hasn’t shirked from the expecations, tland ex-Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold out of the transfer portal to lead Auburn’s offense in 2025. If Freeze can get the Tigers moving in the right direction and deliver Auburn its first winning season since 2020, expect the hot seat talk to cool considerably.
Two sub-.500 records in the first two years on the job is enough to cause concern, but another factor that could lead to a disappointing season is Auburn’s rought patch on the recruiting trail. The Tigers held a top-25 recruiting class prior to the summer months, but a few decommitments have pushed the Tigers into the No. 78 slot in 247Sports 2026 recruiting ranking. Freeze and athletic director John Cohen explained recently that concerns regarding the NCAA’s new revenue sharing model as a reason for the shift in recruiting, and hopes to have a clearer picture of how the new model will work by the time the 2025 football season begins.
However, Auburn’s recruiting efforts have picked up slightly over the last two weeks. The Tigers have landed three-star linebacker Adam Balogoun-Ali, three-star offensive lineman Nikau Hepi, three-star tight end Kentrell White, talented long snapper Travis Wakefield, and has flipped four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone from Penn State all since June 24.
Freeze’s next chance to push Auburn into a winning direction will be Friday, Aug. 29 when the Tigers travel to Baylor to take on the Bears in Waco, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted on FOX.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn football: Sporting News gives Hugh Freeze low preseason ranking
