Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze talks about how his team approaches NIL and the transfer portal
Over the past few years, the combination of Name, Image, and Likeness, or NIL, rules paired with the NCAA transfer portal has vastly changed the landscape of college football. Recruiting used to emphasize relationships, a commitment to a school was for the next 3-4 years or more, and players wanted to go to programs that would develop them and make them into successful athletes.
Now, a lot of that is still true today, but it would be foolish to suggest that money has not become one of the top motivators in recruiting today, especially when it comes to bringing in transfers from the portal.
Many Auburn football fans expected the coaching staff to try to bring in a transfer quarterback during this offseason, especially after Payton Thorne's performance in the Music City Bowl. But head coach Hugh Freeze recently doubled down on his decision to go with Payton Thorne instead of a transfer QB.
"I believe in our quarterback room," Freeze said, per Auburn Undercover. "I believe in Kent Austin (quarterbacks coach). I believe that if you have the right pieces around Payton, that we can have success. I think you saw some glimpses of that, and I don't think we had a total package around him really."
Freeze went on to talk about his faith in the quarterbacks already on the Plains, and brought the topic of NIL money into the conversation.
"The options that you're presented with: Develop Payton, develop Holden, develop Hank and develop Walker or go spend a million dollars on this guy. I couldn't bring myself to doing that because I wanted to put all the pieces together. Now, I'm not saying I won't do that in time, but just currently, I think the guy is proven."
With an almost brand-new group of wide receivers, including 5-star freshman Cam Coleman, Freeze and the coaching staff believe they can get more out of Thorne this season. Not to mention the fact that Freeze is reportedly more involved in this year's offensive plan with new offensive coordinator Derrick Nix.
When it comes to the way that Auburn football views NIL, it's clear that relationships, culture fit, and getting talented guys in all position groups are the priorities over dropping a bag on one guy.
“I just don’t feel comfortable with some of the bidding wars for some of the top guys in the portal,” Freeze admitted, per On3. “Not that we’re not very fair. It’s just I want to build the whole roster and try to do it with guys that fit, somewhat, your culture.”
Though Freeze has utilized the portal well throughout his time at Auburn, especially in his first year on the Plains, it seems he's not yet ready to let go of the traditional parts of recruiting.