Auburn football continues to exist in one of the most unique vacuums of any program in the entire country. Simultaneously, there is optimism and fright regarding whether or not the incoming talent can overcome what has been erratic coaching thus far in Hugh Freeze's two years in charge.
The Athletic's Kennington Smith III and Seth Emerson recognized the expectations while also reminding readers that it's been a bumpy ride on the Plains the past two years under Freeze.
QB Jackson Arnold, WR Eric Singleton Jr., and OTs Xavier Chaplin and Mason Murphy each got individualized shoutouts.
"The 5-7 record in 2024 was disappointing, but the program is trending in a positive direction thanks to an influx of talent. Will quarterback play improve next season? Jackson Arnold, the former five-star prospect who played two years at Oklahoma, steps in hoping for a career reset. There will be plenty of help around him. Wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (Georgia Tech) was the top-rated skill player in the portal, according to 247Sports, and offensive tackles Xavier Chaplin (Virginia Tech) and Mason Murphy (USC) each have 20-plus career starts. Auburn landed six top-100 players from the portal, tied for the second most in the SEC behind LSU’s eight, and has signed back-to-back top-10 high school recruiting classes. There will be big expectations for Hugh Freeze in Year 3," Smith and Emerson wrote.
Freeze has gotten assurances that he isn't on the hot seat. But the 2025 season feels make-or-break for a program that has been waiting on all of Freeze's high school talent to mature enough to win.
If anything, Freeze is lucky Bryan Harsin flamed out so quickly. Because there was a time where 11-14 didn't cut it at AU through two seasons.
Harsin's failures absolved Freeze of accountability. But that immunity is wearing thin and won't last forever.