Greg McElroy explains why Auburn is 'gonna be a huge problem' in 2024

Year 1 of the Hugh Freeze at Auburn got off to a rocky start as he started his rebuild. The Tigers’ offense struggled, but they still made a bowl game en route to a 6-7 overall record.

Things could be different this time around, though, after some big-time additions on the recruiting trail. In fact, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy is among the highest on Auburn this season.

McElroy spoke highly of the Tigers on College Football Live Thursday as SEC Media Days came to a close. While he didn’t go so far as to predict them to make the conference title game, the former Alabama star pointed out the close games Auburn played last year and came up just short. By bringing in more high-end talent, McElroy sees the Tigers making some noise in 2024.

“I really believe this team’s gonna be a huge problem,” McElroy told Victoria Arlen and Dusty Dvoracek. “They were last year – they gave Georgia all they wanted, they gave Bama all they wanted. And that was with a roster that really wasn’t overly competitive on the hoof. They’ve now gone out, they’ve added really good pieces at wide receiver. And Payton Thorne, I expect to take a step because it’s just hard to play quarterback by yourself. Jarquez Hunter, I think’s one of the best backs in the league. No one talks about him. So I think they’re gonna be able to run the football, take some of the pressure off the passing game.

“And I think they finally have the weapons on the perimeter that can win 1-on-1 matchups. So I’m really, actually, pretty optimistic about where Hugh Freeze [has] the Auburn Tigers going into this season. The problem is they’re on the road at Georgia, they’re on the road at Bama and there are some tricky games scattered throughout the schedule.”

Auburn’s strength of schedule could make for a tough road to a bounce-back season this year. The Tigers currently have the No. 5-ranked schedule in the country, according to ESPN’s metrics, including road games against Georgia and Missouri with a bye week in between.

Keeping Thorne helps with continuity at quarterback, but Auburn brought in some help around him, too. The Tigers brought in the No. 8-ranked recruiting class this year, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking, with wide receiver Cam Coleman as the headliner. A Five Star Plus+ receiver, he came in as the No. 4 overall prospect and No. 2-ranked receiver from the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Freeze also made staff changes, including with Derrick Nix coming in as offensive coordinator. He spent the last 15 years at Ole Miss as running backs and wide receivers coach, and he’ll get his first shot at as an offensive coordinator to help Thorne take a leap forward.