In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, Jackson Arnold is in the spotlight for the Tigers. In addition, Butch Thompson believes his team has more to learn
In head coach Hugh Freeze's first two seasons as head coach of Auburn football, the team has finished with losing records. Year three will be make or break for Freeze.
Last year he decided to bring back quarterback Payton Thorne for a second year, and it proved to be the wrong decision for the team. The Tigers struggled at the quarterback position, but will enter the 2025 season with a completely new set of athletes in that position group.
Expected to start this fall is former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold. Along with Auburn's transfer portal additions on the offensive line and in the wide receiver room, Arnold is expected to turn things around for Freeze and the Tigers and is in the spotlight heading into this season, according to CBS Sports.
"The former five-star had a mostly disastrous starting debut in 2023, which included a benching and a QBR rating that ranked 91st nationally. But one could also argue Arnold struggled greatly because of a wide receiver room devastated by injury -- OU's top five receivers missed almost the entire 2024 season -- and horrid O-line play.
Arnold, thanks to Auburn's portal adds, won't deal with those deficiencies on The Plains. Can he elevate his game in turn? How he plays this spring will say a lot about Auburn's 2025 celling."
Auburn baseball has more to learn
The Auburn baseball team has gotten off to a hot start this season, with only one loss in twelve games played. The Tigers have beaten some impressive teams, including No. 8 Oregon State in San Antonio over the weekend.
However, this early in the season, head coach Butch Thompson says that his team still has a long way to go and plenty to learn.
“I’m excited for our players to play good and win, but I’ve got to find a way for us to learn a few things. There were some vulnerable moments,” Thompson told the Auburn Network, via Auburn Rivals.
“We gave up five home runs the last two days and two almost home runs late in the (Baylor) game. And they were inner-half pitches with a fastball. It doesn’t matter if you throw 96 or 100, guys at this level or going to be able to get to it. You really want the opposition to have to beat you the other way. We’re still working through some of that and routine plays on defense.”
Auburn baseball faced UAB on Wednesday night and will return to action at home this weekend with a series against Old Dominion.