Auburn football: Hugh Freeze on Hank Brown, transfer QB options

Although it looked for awhile like the Auburn football program may not sign a quarterback from the class of 2023 while Bryan Harsin was in charge, the Tigers now have a 2023 QB locked in and ready to go.

3-star Hank Brown, a Nashville, TN, native, was originally committed to Hugh Freeze back in June when he was still the head coach at Liberty. Shortly after Freeze announced he would be leaving for the Plains, Brown decommitted from the Flames, and soon Freeze and his new staff were in contact with the QB once more.

Brown visited prior to receiving an offer from the Tigers, but committed to Auburn football the very next day after he was offered. Brown noted that Freeze and the staff told him that he was their guy, and Freeze affirmed that belief, per Auburn Undercover:

"“I’m big on not signing a quarterback that I haven’t seen throw,” Freeze said. “I’m very uncomfortable about that. And I’ve witnessed this guy make every single throw that you need to make. And he is a heck of a guy, great family, and is going to be a great addition to our locker room and leadership and see how he competes to throw the football, because he really has an NFL arm. I’ve witnessed it with my own eyes.”"

Even with Brown joining an Auburn football quarterbacks room with Robby Ashford and Holden Geriner, it is unsurprising that Freeze confirmed the Tigers would still be portal hunting for a transfer quarterback.

Both NC State transfer Devin Leary and Coastal Carolina transfer Grayson McCall were of interest to the current staff, but Leary has already announced he will be transferring to Kentucky, and it seems academic issues are likely to prevent McCall from becoming an Auburn Tiger. However, there are still plenty of talented quarterbacks in the portal, and surely plenty more that will enter before the transfer window closes.

Freeze confirmed that he and his offensive staff are still going back and forth in their rankings of potential transfer quarterbacks, and it is an ongoing process. Even with a 2023 signee and the return of Robby Ashford, it’s still a smart move to add depth and talent to the Tigers’ QB room.