Hugh Freeze gushes over five-star freshman Cam Coleman, Auburn's young WR room

Auburn brought in a slew of talent at the wide receiver position this offseason following a year where they ranked last in the SEC in passing offense. Highlighted by a talented group of true freshmen headlined by five-star wideout Cam Coleman.

Head coach Hugh Freeze was asked about his young receiving unit at SEC Media Days on Thursday, speaking on how to balance lofty expectations for his playmakers who will be entering their first collegiate seasons in 2024.

“I love him,” Freeze said about Coleman who Randall Cobb referred to as Mini Megatron. “I’m careful not to put too unrealistic expectations on freshmen. But I think we had the number one receiving class in the country in Cam, and Perry [Thompson], and Bryce [Cain], and Malcolm [Simmons]. Love all four of them, Cam went through spring so I have more feel for who he is and he’s gonna have to play. I mean he’s really, really talented.”

Coleman burst onto the scene as an early enrollee at Auburn, catching four passes for 92 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers’ spring game. But despite him looking like an impact pass catcher early, Freeze understands that each of his wideouts will have to run their own race and develop at their own pace. Reflecting on some of his star wideouts from his past wide receivers in his coaching career.

“I’ve signed a lot of NFL receivers through my time, not all were completely ready and so I want to be careful not to put all the weight on their shoulders. Laquon Treadwell came in and caught 75 balls as a freshman, A.J. Brown was the same way as a freshman. There’s others that redshirted and they’re still in the league playing,” Freeze explained.

“So Cam and Perry have the physical stature of the NFL guys right now and so it starts there and they can run and they have great ball skills. So how fast does it take them to transition to this league where you’re playing against some of the best athletes in the country that are playing corner and nickel?” Freeze asked. “I’m not quite sure yet, But I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen.”

Even outside of Auburn’s young talent, the Tigers also brought in several experienced wideouts through the transfer portal this offseason as well. Players who’s veteran presence as the potential to make things easier for quarterback Payton Thorne as he looks to improve last year’s passing attack.

“On the flip side of that we brought in Dre Lambert-Smith, and Robert Lewis, and Sam Jackson who do have experience. I mean Dre caught 75, 80 balls last year at Penn State in a pretty good league. So I think all of that gives Payton even more confidence,” Freeze added. “So he’s more confident in the chemistry senses from us and he’s like, I really think my guy can win at the top of this route so I can turn it loose and I’m not hesitant. Which creates pressure or bad decisions.”

It will be fascinating to watch if Auburn can improve in the passing game this season given Freeze’s offensive pedigree and track record. Along with which wide receivers in a room full of different levels of experience and skill sets will contribute the most in 2024.