The national media doesn't have the same optimism about the Auburn Tigers' roster, and Hugh Freeze's recruiting, as the local homers.
USA Today's Paul Myerberg deemed AU's rosters over the past several years "weak," condemned quarterback play from Jackson Arnold and Payton Thorne, and put Freeze on a list of coaches on the hot seat entering Week 6, which is the Tigers' first bye.
Myerberg also shared the opinion that Freeze's seat is getting as hot as Florida Gators football coach Billy Napier's down in Gainesville, in the wake of a 1-3 start from UF.
"Freeze’s seat is nearing Napier-like temperatures after Auburn dropped two in a row to open SEC play. Barring major improvements on offense, the Tigers could finish under .500 for the third year in a row and almost certainly be in the market for a new head coach for the third time in five years. Freeze was seen as a home-run hire when he arrived back in the SEC from Liberty but has been unable to scheme around a weak roster and unimpressive quarterback play," Myerberg wrote.
Hugh Freeze has failed his Auburn Tigers roster
The claim that Auburn isn't a talented roster is a dubious one. Freeze brought in two top-10 high school recruiting classes in 2024 and 2025 and a top-10 transfer portal class. That this roster is being considered such is a total failure on the coaching staff.
Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. should be leading the SEC in receiving. Arnold should be looking like the version of himself who resembled Cam Newton against the Baylor Bears during a 38-24 win in Waco every week, not being sacked more than anyone in the country every week. The running back room should be utilized more, considering Jeremiah Cobb and Damari Alston's impact per carry.
That Freeze failed the offense enough for Auburn to be called "weak" -- because DJ Durkin's defense certainly isn't the issue here -- is a sign he can recruit well, but can't close the deal.
That's not what you pay eight figures on. Or at least it shouldn't be.