Auburn football got off to a hot start on Early National Signing Day 2022, jumping into the top 20 in recruiting rankings after being left out of the top 50 when Bryan Harsin was dismissed as Tigers head coach on October 31.
New HC Hugh Freeze and his staff reeled in several major flips like 4-star DL Keldric Faulk (from Florida State) and 4-star CB Kaylin Lee (from Ohio State) on Early National Signing Day — this after flipping 4-star safety Sylvester Smith (Tennessee), 4-star IOL Connor Lew (from Miami) and 3-star quarterback Hank Brown, who had committed to Freeze while he was still coaching Liberty. He’s also filled out the offensive trenches with what could be one of the best offensive line classes in the country when it’s all said and done. Seriously.
In the aftermath of Freeze’s recruiting success, though, analysts were talking about the last two head coaches.
Barrett Sallee of CBS Sports had a damning take regarding Harsin’s tenure as head coach on the Plains…
It's amazing what happens at Auburn when ... ya know ... the head coach actually recruits.
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) December 21, 2022
AL.com’s Joseph Goodman, on the other hand, sang the praises of former interim head coach and current associate head coach/running backs coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams:
The Cadillac is filling up down at Auburn today. Remember, none of this happens without Carnell Williams.
— Joseph Goodman, Sports Enthusiast 🎟🍺 (@JoeGoodmanJr) December 21, 2022
Hugh Freeze is earning his keep as Auburn football head coach
There’s no denying that Bryan Harsin seemingly didn’t put his best foot forward on the recruiting trail while he was the head coach of Auburn football. There is also no denying the impact Carnell “Cadillac” Williams has had on AU’s recruiting since he was hired to Gus Malzahn’s staff in 2019.
Truthfully, though, the success the Tigers are now seeing begins and ends with Hugh Freeze’s ability to put his head down and grind — making countless recruiting trips across the south with his staff and earning the trust and respect of prospects.
Some media outlets won’t give him his due and may never get to that point, but this is not one of them. Freeze is earning over the Auburn family with work. Hard work.
And with that, AU appears to be a threat in the SEC West again.