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Auburn Wraps Up ‘A Great Spring’ with A-Day Presented by Golden Flake
AUBURN, Ala. — Under clear skies and amid the steady roar of a devoted fan base, Auburn football took one more step toward its future on Saturday. The Tigers wrapped up spring practice with the annual A-Day Game, presented by Golden Flake, showcasing progress, promise, and plenty of passion at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The event marked the end of what head coach Hugh Freeze called “a great spring,” one characterized by competition, player development, and renewed energy across every phase of the program.
“It was a good day for us,” Freeze said postgame. “There’s still a lot we need to clean up, but I think we’re in a much better place now than we were three months ago. That’s the goal of spring ball—get better every day—and I think we did that.”
A-Day Format and Standouts
The A-Day Game followed a standard format: the offense in orange jerseys facing the defense in white, with a modified scoring system that rewarded defensive stops, turnovers, and sacks. The Tigers’ roster was split primarily into the first-team offense and first-team defense, allowing fans a strong glimpse at the top of the depth chart and key position battles.
Leading the offense was transfer quarterback Walker White, who drew much of the buzz throughout the spring and didn’t disappoint. The former 5-star recruit showed poise in the pocket and flashed his athleticism on several read-option plays and designed rollouts. White connected on a pair of touchdown passes and appeared to have strong chemistry with returning wideout Ja’Varrius Johnson and new arrival Cam Coleman, a true freshman already turning heads.
“Walker’s presence is already making a difference,” Freeze said. “He’s got a long way to go, but the tools are there. He’s calm, accurate, and competitive. And more than anything, he wants to win.”
The running game also found its footing behind standout sophomore Damari Alston, who ripped off several impressive runs, including a 25-yarder that got the crowd on its feet. Alston, who’s taken on more of a leadership role with Jarquez Hunter recovering from offseason surgery, looked every bit the feature back Saturday.
Freshman phenom J’Marion Burnette also drew praise. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound bruiser from Andalusia, Alabama, ran with a physicality beyond his years and seems primed to contribute early in his collegiate career.
On defense, lineman Keldric Faulk was a constant presence in the backfield, notching two sacks and several quarterback pressures. The edge rush duo of Faulk and Vanderbilt transfer Nate Clifton looks potent, and linebackers Eugene Asante and Austin Keys kept the middle of the field tight.
“Faulk’s motor is elite,” said defensive coordinator Ron Roberts. “You talk about a guy who lives in the film room, he’s one of them. He’s got the tools to be one of the best in the conference.”
Progress in the Passing Game
One of the primary concerns heading into the spring was the Tigers’ aerial attack. Last season, Auburn ranked near the bottom of the SEC in passing yards per game. Freeze and offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery made improving that aspect of the offense a top priority this spring—and the results on Saturday showed signs of life.
In addition to White’s efficient outing, redshirt sophomore Holden Geriner looked more comfortable in the pocket, making smart reads and delivering several intermediate throws with accuracy. Though the deep ball remains a work in progress, Freeze praised the overall development of the passing game.
“We’re seeing more timing, better route discipline, and more confidence from our quarterbacks,” Freeze said. “It’s still not where we want it to be, but we’ve come a long way.”
Wide receiver development was another bright spot. The addition of Coleman, along with the steady hands of Johnson and a breakout performance from sophomore Koy Moore, gives Auburn’s passing game a more dynamic look heading into the fall.
“We’ve got guys that can win one-on-one matchups now,” Johnson said. “That changes the offense completely.”
Depth on Defense
While much of the A-Day spotlight shone on the offense, Auburn’s defense quietly stole the show in several key areas. The front seven looked deeper and more aggressive than it did a year ago, a product of both strong returning talent and successful portal additions.
Alongside Faulk and Clifton, players like true freshman Malik Blocton and senior Marcus Harris were disruptive forces in the trenches. Harris, the veteran voice of the defensive line, credited offseason strength training and improved communication for the unit’s dominance.
“We’ve got the talent,” Harris said. “Now it’s about execution, play after play. This spring, we started clicking more. I’m excited about where this group can go.”
In the secondary, cornerback Kayin Lee was one of the day’s brightest stars, picking off an errant pass late in the first half and nearly taking it to the house. Lee, who saw limited action last season, appears poised to take on a larger role alongside standout safety Zion Puckett and transfer cornerback Keionte Scott.
A Culture Taking Root
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Saturday wasn’t about any one player or stat line—it was the atmosphere, the buy-in, and the belief.
From Freeze’s interactions with players on the sideline to the energy in the stadium and the unity on display across position groups, it was clear that Auburn’s culture is beginning to reflect the blueprint Freeze envisioned when he arrived.
“You can tell this group believes in each other,” Freeze said. “We’ve got a locker room full of guys who are pushing each other the right way. They’re hungry, they’re learning how to compete, and they’re doing it with joy.”
Freeze also credited his coaching staff for fostering an environment of accountability and growth. “Spring’s where you build the foundation,” he said. “And I think this staff did a great job laying those bricks.”
Key Areas to Watch This Summer
Despite the progress, Freeze was quick to acknowledge that several questions remain.
The offensive line, which showed improvement but still gave up pressure in key situations, will be a focus heading into fall camp. Injuries also played a role in the line’s A-Day performance, but the Tigers need more consistency in both pass protection and run blocking.
Receiver depth, while improved, could use one more veteran addition through the transfer portal, and the backup quarterback situation remains fluid. Geriner and Hank Brown both had solid moments, but Freeze made clear that the competition is far from over.
“We’re going to need all three quarterbacks to be ready,” Freeze said. “You never know what’s going to happen in this league. Depth is everything.”
Defensively, the staff will emphasize tackling fundamentals and coverage discipline. Missed tackles and busted coverages, though fewer than in past springs, still occurred enough to warrant attention.
Fan Turnout and Community Buzz
An estimated 45,000 fans made their way to Jordan-Hare, a testament to the excitement surrounding Freeze’s second year. The stands were filled with orange and blue, and fans got a sneak peek not only of the team but also of the new gameday enhancements coming to the stadium this fall.
Golden Flake’s sponsorship of A-Day added extra flavor—literally and figuratively—with giveaways, fan zones, and a festive tailgate scene that brought life to the Plains.
For players like Alston, the fan support was more than just noise—it was motivation.
“To see that many people out here for a spring game? That’s love,” Alston said. “It makes you want to go even harder for this school.”
Looking Ahead
As Auburn heads into the summer, Freeze and his staff will shift into developmental mode. Strength and conditioning will take center stage, along with player-led workouts and film study. The coaching staff will also continue evaluating potential portal additions, with a focus on offensive line, wide receiver, and possibly linebacker depth.
The schedule doesn’t offer any favors this fall. Auburn opens with a tough non-conference slate, including a September trip to Louisville, followed by a brutal SEC gauntlet that features Georgia, LSU, and Alabama in a six-week stretch.
Still, the program’s trajectory feels unmistakably upward. With key pieces in place, improved depth across the board, and a clear sense of identity beginning to emerge, Auburn fans have plenty of reasons for optimism.
“It’s a long way to September, but I like where we’re headed,” Freeze said. “A-Day was a step forward—and now we’ve got to keep climbing.”
Final Score (Modified Format):
Offense – 27
Defense – 21
MVPs:
- Walker White, QB – 15-for-21, 185 yards, 2 TDs
- Keldric Faulk, EDGE – 2 sacks, 4 pressures
- Kayin Lee, CB – 1 INT, 2 PBUs
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