Analyst: Hugh Freeze needs to get returning Auburn football starter to NY

The War Rapport's Mike Gittens wants to see first-year Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze get a returning starter to New York for the Heisman ceremony Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
The War Rapport's Mike Gittens wants to see first-year Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze get a returning starter to New York for the Heisman ceremony Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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The War Rapport’s Mike Gittens believes it is the duty of first-year Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze to get returning starting quarterback for the Tigers, Robby Ashford, to New York City for the Heisman ceremony in 2023.

Ashford was named the Tigers starter in 2022 after the 41-12 loss to Penn State on September 17, starting under center for Auburn football during a Week 4 victory on September 24 over Missouri and never looking back.

Gittens shared his opinion via Twitter, where he conceded that at the very least Ashford should be All-SEC First Team this upcoming fall:

The Auburn football quarterback position hangs in the balance as the transfer portal awaits several QB decisions

Robby Ashford most certainly earned the chance to start again in 2023 based on how he ended last season, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll be the most experienced QB in the room once the A-Day spring game rolls around.

Several signal-callers have yet to announce their decisions, opening the door for Hugh Freeze to make a major recruiting splash with an accomplished arm. Spencer Sanders is down to Ole Miss and Auburn football, while LSU’s Walker Howard could also end up on the Plains. Purdue’s Brady Allen could be a backup plan as well.

Sanders seems to be the only one Tiger fans would be happy with to replace Ashford, but there’s a reason why spring ball and fall camp exist. Guys like Holden Geriner and Hank Brown could show enough improvement to be considered as well.

Another year, another head coach, and another quarterback question to be answered here in 2023.