If you go back to 2014, a popular slogan within the Gus Malzahn-coached Auburn football team was “Auburn fast.” The Tigers were known for a fast-paced offense, with guys like Cam Newton, Ontario McCalebb, and others demonstrating their speed in orange and blue.
Oftentimes the offense would snap the ball so quickly that it was slightly disorienting to the opponent defense, and the “Auburn fast” brand became an Auburn thing. However, in the years since the early 2010s, much has changed.
Now, with Hugh Freeze at the helm of the Auburn football program, the Tigers are expected to return to that pace with a more up-tempo offense with a focus on the RPO. This is a definite change from the past few seasons, where wide receivers have been less productive than fans would like to see.
Sophomore wide receiver Camden Brown, who has been getting a lot of praise during this year’s spring practice, is a big fan of the new offense, per The Montgomery Advertiser, and he hinted that “Auburn fast” could be making its return to the Plains:
"“I’m not going to lie, it brings me back to St. Thomas (Aquinas High in Florida) with (coach) Roger Harriott and (offensive coordinator) Wes Carroll, going back to the fast stuff,” sophomore receiver Camden Brown said Wednesday. “I remember last year, I had never been in like a huddle before. It was kind of weird because it was slowing down my play.”"
Of course, the Tigers are embracing change during this offseason, attempting to correct problems regarding the quarterback, wide receivers, offensive line, and overall unity on the team. Hopefully, getting an element of speed back in the offense will increase productivity for the receivers, because it definitely is not a talent issue.
With new addition Nick Mardner and quite a few returners in the room ahead of the 2023 season, if they can adjust to the new schemes the Tigers should have a more successful offense this fall.