Auburn Tigers News: 4-star DL talks OV, Paul Finebaum on Hugh Freeze's second season

In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, 4-star defensive lineman Joseph Mbatchou discusses his official visit to the Plains and Paul Finebaum talks about Hugh Freeze's second season with the Tigers.
Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze and Vanderbilt Commodores Senior Offensive Advisor Jerry Kill shake hands after the game as Auburn Tigers take on Vanderbilt Commodores at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Vanderbilt Commodores defeated Auburn Tigers 17-7.
Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze and Vanderbilt Commodores Senior Offensive Advisor Jerry Kill shake hands after the game as Auburn Tigers take on Vanderbilt Commodores at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Vanderbilt Commodores defeated Auburn Tigers 17-7. / Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, 4-star defensive lineman Joseph Mbatchou discusses his official visit to the Plains and Paul Finebaum talks about Hugh Freeze's second season with the Tigers

Over the weekend, the Auburn football program hosted 4-star defensive lineman Joseph Mbatchou for an official visit. From Loganville, Georgia, he is ranked as the #31 DL in the recruiting class of 2025 and the #40 recruit out of the Peach State.

Mbatchou was previously committed to the Florida Gators but backed off his pledge in October. Although the Tigers weren't able to defeat Vanderbilt, Mbatchou had a great visit with his family.

"It was a good visit," Mbatchou said, per Auburn Rivals. "Got to see the game. Even though it didn’t go the way they wanted it to go, I feel like the defense played really good. Everyone here showed me and my family a lot of love and I just had a really good time here."

The DL plans to make his decision right before early signing day in December and enroll at his school of choice in the summer.

Paul Finebaum talks about Hugh Freeze's second season with the Tigers

It's been a disappointing season for Auburn football and Hugh Freeze, to say the least. While the results last year were expected and understandable, the complete regression of this season has been baffling, especially because so much additional talent was brought in.

The defense has looked stellar, but the offense has struggled to do much of anything, and the inability to put points on the board continues to prevent the Tigers from winning games. According to Paul Finebaum, things are not looking good for Auburn's second-year head coach.

“I’m still trying to figure out what Hugh Freeze has done other than try to blame everything on ,” Finebaum said, per On3. “I’d like to see in-game decisions. I’d like to see things that make me feel confident about Hugh Freeze and I’m just not seeing it. I’m not suggesting anything other than answering a question here. I think he has to be given some time, but how much time I think is really an open question.

“And at the rate this season’s going, he’ll begin next season on one of the hottest hot seats I have seen at Auburn or anywhere in a long time. And that can’t be scraped away because he has thrown away every opportunity this year to turn this thing around.”

Auburn football will have another bye week this weekend, and then will return to Jordan-Hare Stadium to host ULM.