Auburn football is on a journey of transformation, and under the leadership of head coach Hugh Freeze, the program is heading in a direction that many fans and analysts are watching closely. In his second year at the helm, Freeze has made significant strides in reshaping the Auburn roster to reflect his vision and philosophy for the future. As someone who has built successful programs in the past, Freeze’s approach to roster development is rooted in a blend of recruiting, player development, and, notably, utilizing the transfer portal to fill critical needs. While Freeze is pleased with the progress that his roster has made, he understands that the transfer portal will still play a pivotal role in his efforts to build a championship-caliber team at Auburn.
In this piece, we will take an in-depth look at Hugh Freeze’s strategy for improving Auburn football, why he remains optimistic about the progress of his roster, and how he plans to continue to leverage the transfer portal to further enhance the team in 2025 and beyond.
A New Era at Auburn: Hugh Freeze’s Vision
When Hugh Freeze took over the Auburn football program in 2023, the Tigers were coming off a period of instability. The program had undergone multiple coaching changes, and the roster had seen fluctuations in talent and depth. Freeze was tasked with stabilizing the program, restoring Auburn to its winning ways, and competing in one of the toughest conferences in the country: the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Freeze’s first priority was to build relationships with the players on the roster. He knew that in order to have a successful program, he needed to establish a strong foundation of trust and communication with the players. This was crucial, especially given that the team had gone through a period of uncertainty, both on and off the field. Freeze’s coaching philosophy is one built on discipline, accountability, and a high level of intensity. These are qualities he aims to instill in his players as they work toward achieving their goals.
However, Freeze also recognized that simply focusing on the players already in the program wasn’t enough. To truly elevate Auburn to the top of the SEC, Freeze would need to bring in top-tier talent—both from high school recruiting and the transfer portal. Recruiting high school athletes is important, but the transfer portal provides an additional tool for coaches to fill immediate needs and bring in experienced players who can contribute right away.
In his first year, Freeze did well to revamp the roster, bringing in a mix of freshmen and transfers to add depth and competition at key positions. Auburn fans saw improvement in multiple areas of the team, and Freeze’s offensive schemes began to take shape as the team showed glimpses of its potential.
As Freeze heads into his second season, he is more confident in the progress made so far, yet he knows that the job is far from finished. The SEC is a challenging conference, and Auburn must remain competitive both in recruiting and player development if they want to keep up with the best teams in the nation. This is where the transfer portal comes into play.
Why Hugh Freeze is Pleased with His Roster’s Progress
As Freeze enters his second year at Auburn, he has every reason to be optimistic about the direction the program is heading. Auburn’s roster has shown significant improvement since his arrival, and Freeze has been able to develop and mold a team that better reflects his style of play.
- Improved Depth Across the Roster
One of the key indicators of progress under Hugh Freeze is the improved depth across the roster. A year ago, Auburn struggled in some areas of depth, especially in positions like offensive and defensive lines, as well as the secondary. However, Freeze and his staff have done an excellent job of addressing these issues, with new additions through recruiting and the transfer portal. The result has been a more balanced and well-rounded roster capable of competing at a high level.
Freeze understands that championship programs have depth at every position, and this is something he has worked hard to build at Auburn. His goal is to ensure that there is competition for starting roles in every position group, which ultimately leads to better performance and higher standards across the team.
- Strong Development of Key Players
Another area where Hugh Freeze has seen progress is in the development of key players. In his first year at Auburn, Freeze emphasized player development and individual coaching to help players reach their full potential. His track record of developing quarterbacks, wide receivers, and other key skill position players is well-documented from his time at previous stops like Ole Miss and Liberty.
Players like quarterback Robbie Ashford, wide receiver Javaris Johnson, and defensive linemen like Jayson Jones have all shown signs of growth under Freeze’s coaching. For Ashford, Freeze’s expertise in developing quarterbacks has allowed the young signal-caller to become more comfortable with the offense, while also improving his decision-making and accuracy.
On the defensive side of the ball, Auburn has become more aggressive and disciplined under Freeze’s tutelage. Freeze has emphasized speed and versatility on defense, and this has allowed Auburn to improve its pass rush and secondary coverage. As a result, the Tigers have been much more competitive on both sides of the ball, which bodes well for their future.
- Cohesion and Chemistry
One of the most important aspects of any successful program is team chemistry, and Hugh Freeze has worked hard to foster a positive and cohesive environment in the locker room. Players have responded well to his leadership style, and they seem to have bought into his vision for Auburn football. Freeze’s focus on building relationships with his players has led to better communication and trust, which has helped players perform better on the field.
Freeze’s ability to create a family-like atmosphere where players feel supported and motivated is something that can often be overlooked, but it is essential to building a successful football program. The team’s chemistry will continue to be a key factor as Auburn looks to compete for SEC titles and national championships in the coming years.
The Role of the Transfer Portal in Auburn’s Future
While Hugh Freeze is undoubtedly pleased with the progress his roster has made, he understands that to truly compete at the highest levels of college football, the Tigers will need to continue improving. The SEC is an unforgiving conference, and teams that stand still risk falling behind. That’s why Freeze will continue to use the transfer portal as a key tool in shaping his roster moving forward.
The transfer portal has become a vital part of modern college football, allowing programs to quickly address immediate needs and add experienced players who can contribute right away. Freeze is no stranger to the transfer portal, having successfully utilized it at previous stops to build competitive teams. At Auburn, Freeze has already made significant moves in the portal, bringing in players to address weaknesses and strengthen key areas.
Some of the areas Freeze may look to address through the transfer portal include:
- Quarterback Depth
While Robbie Ashford showed improvement in 2024, the quarterback position remains a point of emphasis for Auburn. Freeze has a history of working with highly talented quarterbacks, and he knows the importance of having an experienced and capable signal-caller. If Ashford doesn’t make the leap to be the guy for the long term, Freeze may look to the transfer portal to find a quarterback who can help take the offense to the next level. - Offensive Line Help
The offensive line is often the unsung hero of any football team, and Auburn’s line has had its ups and downs in recent years. Freeze knows that for his offense to operate at its highest level, the offensive line must be able to protect the quarterback and open up lanes for the running backs. While Auburn has recruited well in this area, Freeze may continue to look for experienced offensive linemen in the portal to provide immediate help and leadership. - Secondary Reinforcements
Auburn has made strides in its secondary, but Freeze will likely continue to add depth and talent to this position group. The SEC features some of the most talented wide receivers in the country, and having a deep and talented secondary is crucial for competing at the highest level. Freeze could target experienced defensive backs in the transfer portal who can step in and contribute right away. - Playmaking Wide Receivers
While Auburn has solid receivers, adding playmakers who can stretch the field and provide dynamic playmaking ability will be key for Freeze’s offense. With his reputation for developing wide receivers, Freeze could seek out top-tier transfers to give his offense the weapons it needs to compete with SEC defenses.
The Road Ahead for Auburn Football
Hugh Freeze has laid a solid foundation in his first year at Auburn, and the progress made by the roster under his leadership is encouraging. The Tigers have improved in key areas such as depth, player development, and team chemistry, and there is optimism for the future. However, Freeze knows that in order to truly compete at the highest levels of the SEC, Auburn will need to continue to make improvements, both through recruiting and the transfer portal.
The transfer portal will continue to be an essential tool for Freeze as he looks to build a championship-caliber roster. With Auburn’s commitment to success and Freeze’s expertise in roster-building, the future looks bright for the Tigers. As Freeze continues to develop his team and bring in talent from the transfer portal, Auburn is poised to become a serious contender in the SEC and beyond.