Fired ex-Auburn coach trying to steal rumored top Hugh Freeze target

Gus Malzahn wants to reel in Coastal Carolina transfer Grayson McCall, a rumored Auburn football target who Hugh Freeze has had his eyes on since arriving on the Plains in November 2022, for his UCF transfer haul according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

“Three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year Grayson McCall will also be making a visit to UCF this weekend, a source tells On3sports,” Nakos prefaced before saying, “We reported on Monday the Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback is visiting NC State this weekend.”

WKMG’s Jamie Seh added that McCall and Malzahn may have already met ahead of the upcoming December 9/10 visit.

“Source close to UCF football confirmed this report from On3 to me that QB Grayson McCall will visit UCF,” Seh prefaced before saying, “Source told me Gus Malzahn may have visited with McCall over the last few days. Over 10,000 passing yds, 88 TD throws, 1100+ rushing yds, 18 rushing TDs in Coastal career.”

Auburn football not yet linked to Grayson McCall since December 4 transfer portal opening

While McCall and Auburn have been linked as potential fits by analysts, there hasn’t been an ensuing slew of rumors regarding the Coastal Carolina quarterback showing up to Auburn University’s campus yet. McCall never made it in 2022, canceling his visit right before it was set to take place.

It’s possible that Malzahn’s offense, which featured a similarly skilled John Rhys Plumlee, who’s three inches shorter than the six-foor-three McCall, could entice the ex-Chanticleers signal-caller to choose Orlando before AU could ever be in the mix.

But is Auburn even trying to be in the mix right now? Flipping elite high school recruits seems to be Freeze’s focus, and Walker White is coming in 2024. Payton Thorne still has Freeze’s belief as well and has a year of eligibility left.

The McCall to Auburn ship may have sailed, but Malzahn may or may not be the reason when it’s all said and done.