Auburn Taking Hugh-ge Steps In The Right Direction

Auburn Taking Hugh-ge Steps In The Right Direction

November 13, 2023 Skye Underwood By
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1) looks back in pity after running over an Arkansas defender en route to the end zone, scoring from 12-yards out and capping off a 6-play, 75-yard drive on Auburn’s opening possession against Arkansas. (Zach Bland/Auburn Athletics)

Auburn Football is en fuego. The Tigers have won three consecutive games after their latest dub not only secured bowl-eligibility, but it came in dominating fashion as Auburn humiliated Arkansas on their own home field, 48-10.

The Tigers whipped the Razorbacks in every facet of the game from special teams which featured a Keionte Scott 74-yard punt return touchdown and kicker Alex McPherson’s program record-breaking 17th consecutive field goal, to an electric offense that piled up over 500 yards and 32 first downs, to a stifling defense which constantly caused chaos in the Razorback backfield holding the Hawgs to 255 yards, and a paltry 1 of 12 on 3rd down.

It was the most complete game of the Hugh Freeze era and gave Auburn fans a glimpse of their future, while making Arkansas fans question theirs. It was rather obvious that the trajectory of the two SEC West programs are going in opposite directions.

In Freeze’s 1st season, Auburn (6-4, 3-4) is one win away from exceeding expectations and Vegas’ win total of 6 ½ wins with home games vs. New Mexico State and Bama looming.

The Tigers are playing their best ball of the season and the all-important “proof of concept” has never been prettier, so it’s of little to no surprise that the triumph on the field has been matched by success off of it.

Brother Hugh and his boys have been on a recruiting tear of late. This weekend alone garnered commitments from a 2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, JUCO’s No. 1 ranked safety Laquan Robinson on Friday, a former Florida commit flip from espn 2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ EDGE and No. 1 recruit in MS, Jamonta Waller on Saturday, and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2025 tight end Ryan Ghea on Sunday who picked the Tigers over Ohio State, Michigan, and Florida for good measure.

Sunday night, I had to do what any rabid Auburn fan does the day after a big win and tune in to On3’s AuburnLive Recruiting Call-In Show on YouTube (Sundays @ 6:30 pm c) featuring Jeffery Lee, Cole Pinkston and JHead, and they served up some delicious nuggets on the Auburn recruiting front that you can listen to here: https://www.youtube.com/live/XanCSYFkIU8?si=rp1V19zvEtYRJ7_O.

Of course a lot of the buzz is surrounding Texas A&M commitments who Auburn is very much interested in, especially since it was made official that Jimbo Fisher has been fired.

Aggie commits like ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Phenix City, Ala. wide receiver Cameron Coleman who was said to have phoned Auburn wide receiver coach Marcus Davis Sunday morning when the Jimbo news broke to let him know that his recruitment is open. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ do-it-all offensive lineman Coen Echols is another Texas A&M commit to keep an eye on as he’s been on Auburn’s radar for a while now. Perhaps a surprise name that’s been creating little buzz is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ defensive lineman Dominick McKinley out of Lafayette, Louisiana who Auburn is trying to get to The Plains for an official visit. Maybe Hugh’s gonna let Mr. “We Ain’t Done Yet” work his magic in his home state of The Boot.

Speaking of recruiting, I have a message for potential blue chip prospects interested in Auburn — recruits, under the slim chance that you know how to read (this is a joke, Karen), I’d like to give you a piece of advice — going to Auburn is the en vogue thing to do right now. “On God,” as you say. Available spots are running out in the 2024 and ‘25 class, respectfully, so get in where you fit in, or you might lose your spot.

More and more big dogs who are currently committed elsewhere have got their eyes on The Plains, and/or Auburn still has interest in them.

Guys like the aforementioned 5-Star WR Coleman, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ DL Florida commit L.J. McCray, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ DL Bama commit Jeremiah Beaman, and don’t forget about guys like ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Miami RB commit Kevin Riley, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ole Miss DL commit Kamarion Frankin, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Florida TE commit Amir Jackson, and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Miami S commit Zaquan Patterson. And I’m sure I’m leaving out a few guys, but the point is that Auburn has a legitimate shot to make some noise during flip season.

There’s even whispers that former Auburn 2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ DB commit Jalewis Solomon wants back into the class after realizing that South Carolina is a poverty program. He’s such an outstanding athlete that I might give him a pass.

Perhaps the recruitment that is drawing most interest is that of 2025 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Saraland, Ala. WR Ryan Williams who is committed to Bama. There are rumblings that there’s a scenario where Williams could reclassify to the 2024 class and then flip to Auburn.

Imagine if you will a 2024 Auburn wide receiver class featuring ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ryan Williams, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cam Coleman, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Perry Thompson, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Malcolm Simmons, and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bryce Cain!

That’s a history-making type wide receiver corps that could take the Auburn offense places it’s never been. The thing I love most about those five receivers is they’re all from right here inside the state of Alabama. And if you’re curious, the Tigers have never signed three five-star receivers in a single class.

JLee, Pink, and Jhead believe the Tigers have a 60% chance to flip either Williams or Coleman and a 45% chance to sign both in-state stars.

The AuburnLive guys project Auburn’s 2024 recruiting class to finish ranked between 8th-12th nationally, while they expect the Tigers’ 2025 class to finish between 5th-7th.

Auburn 1st-year head coach Hugh Freeze has been a breath of fresh air for Auburn because of the passion that he and his staff pour into the program (Zach Bland/Auburn Athletics)

It feels like the pieces of the puzzle seem to be falling into place for Freeze at just the right time, but it’s important not to get complacent when everyone is patting you on the back telling you how good you are when a Jerry Kill coached New Mexico State (8-3, 6-1) football team is capable of punching you in the mouth.

Speaking of the Aggies, Freeze probably has a bad taste in his mouth after Kill’s team manhandled Liberty, 49-14, in Hugh’s last game as head coach for the Flames when it was all but a foregone conclusion that he was headed to The Plains, so you certainly can’t blame Liberty’s lack of focus.

However, Freeze can happily return the beat down with his new team. My prediction: Auburn 49, New Mexico State 14. What a coincidence. That would push Auburn’s record to 7-4 overall and 3-4 in the SEC with an Iron Bowl on deck inside the friendly confines of The Loveliest Village on the Plains.

Under Freeze’s direction, it’s rather evident that Auburn Football is taking steps in the right direction, so don’t be surprised if the Tigers save their best game for last and take a Hugh-ge step in building Auburn back to Auburn and slaying the dragon that is Nick Saban and Alabama Football.

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New Mexico State

Alabama

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