After a late start to spring practice, after the university's official spring break, the Auburn football team is three weeks into their spring training. A competitive quarterback battle is going down between the only two QBs currently on the Plains and the new arrivals are getting used to being Tigers.
On Saturday, the team held their first scrimmage of spring training, and head coach Hugh Freeze is pleased with what he's seen from his team so far.
“I was really encouraged by the competitiveness of both sides,” said Freeze, per Auburn Rivals. “I really thought it went back-and-forth and the competitiveness was really good to see. We’ll do it again this Saturday and hopefully see some improvement in every area.”
According to Freeze, the position group that has stood out the most so far is the wide receivers. The Tigers returned all members of the Freeze Four — Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, Bryce Cain, and Malcolm Simmons — and they are already improving upon their skills from last season.
"Even Malcolm and Perry, just a second year in the same system, with the same terminology, doing the same things, you see them now catching on," said Freeze, per Auburn Undercover. "There were still times last year where Payton was ready for Malcolm or Perry to do this — and may not get exactly done. But now you see them executing at a better level. We are very much dependent on that room having success."
Auburn has also brought in several newcomers who are already making names for themselves. While Georgia Tech Eric Singleton Jr. may be the headliner of the new group, Freeze had high praise for the playmaking abilities of incoming freshman Sam Turner and Wake Forest transfer Horatio Fields.
Freeze said earlier this spring that the wide receiver room is one of the most talented groups he's ever worked with, and he said the team will be dependent on their success in the 2025 season.