Auburn football offseason hire helped build the Thompson-to-Tigers pipeline

Auburn football co-defensive coordinator Charles Kelly was credited by Thompson head coach Mark Freeman for being the main architect of the blossoming Warriors-to-Tigers pipeline; something that was dormant from 2019 to 2022.

“I think Charles Kelly has a lot to do with that,” Freeman said of the recent Thompson to Auburn pipeline (h/t AL.com). “He does a tremendous job recruiting, and he’s been around the state long time.”

S Anquon Fegans and EDGE Jared Smith, who starred in a losing effort to Grayson (GA) on August 22, join punter John Alan McGuire in the 2025 class from the Alabaster high school after Kaleb Harris committed to the 2024 class.

Hugh Freeze gaining narrative victories on recruiting trail for Auburn football

Realistically, not every player committed to the Tigers' 2025 class is going to end up in Auburn. Forget about 2026, which is light-years away by today's standards. Flips happen, even from good teams. NIL has made recruiting the most fickle of beasts in any sport, professional or "amateur" at this point.

Regardless, what Freeze is doing right now should give every Tiger fan hope. The number of narrative victories he's gaining is astounding. And as every analyst points out after every new recruit, Freeze probably isn't done yet.

Flipping a blue-chip defender from a defending national champion from the Big Ten? Flipping skill position targets from Alabama? Absolutely dominating the state of Alabama and taking away a Crimson Tide stronghold like Thompson -- because he took Nick Saban's secret weapon on the recruiting trail in Kelly?

Freeze is doing everything he can to give Auburn fans hope. That he's doing it despite a 6-7 debut season makes it all the more impressive.

It makes you wonder what he and his coaching staff can accomplish after a season to be proud of.