The 2023 SEC Media Days are now over, and Hugh Freeze has been officially introduced to the conference as the head coach of Auburn football. Although the bar is set pretty low for Freeze’s first season on the Plains after the last two years, hope and optimism are high.
Freeze and the Auburn football program took center stage on Tuesday, and the head coach was accompanied by JACK Elijah McAllister, tight end Luke Deal, and offensive lineman Kam Stutts. From the outside looking in, it seems that things are starting to come together for the Tigers.
Following Media Days, the Southeastern Conference released the 2023 Preseason Media Days All-SEC team list, and five Auburn football players made the cut.
Only one offensive player is on the list this year, and it is junior running back Jarquez Hunter, who is posed to have his breakout season in 2023 after backing up Tank Bigsby for the last few seasons. Hunter was named second-team All-SEC after rushing for 675 yards and seven touchdowns last fall.
The dynamic cornerback duo of D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett were the defensive players selected for All-SEC honors. Both CBs were named third-team All-SEC. James totaled 37 tackles and one interception with nine pass break-ups last season, his first at Auburn after transferring from Oregon. Pritchett also racked up 37 tackles in 2022 with 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and eight pass break-ups.
On special teams, both punter Oscar Chapman and placekicker Alex McPherson were selected for the third-team All-SEC roster. 2022 was Chapman’s third year as the Tigers’ starting punter, and he placed fourth in the SEC with a 43.9 yard average on 57 punts. McPherson will take on the role of full-time starting kicker this fall after making several appearances last season.
Though there is a lot of doubt surrounding the Tigers heading into 2023, the new additions to the team and the stellar returning talent could end up surprising people.