Hugh Freeze declines to comment on Jarquez Hunter's status amid offseason suspension

The biggest question mark for Auburn as fall camp quickly approaches is the availability of Jarquez Hunter. The star running back was suspended indefinitely earlier this offseason, and updates have been scarce since.

At SEC Media Days on Tuesday, Hugh Freeze publicly spoke about the situation for the first time and said he couldn’t comment at this time.

“I’m not allowed to comment on the university’s policies or procedures at this point,” he said.

Auburn’s statement announcing the suspensions was vague and didn’t specifically name any players. Before he took the podium, Freeze met with reporters in Nashville and when asked if any other players received a punishment, he again said he couldn’t comment on university policy.

“We are aware of the situation and take this matter very seriously,” the statement read. “The appropriate office are conducting a thorough review. Indefinite suspensions have been issued for violation of applicable Auburn Athletics department policy. No further comment will be provided at this time.”

Hunter — one of the top running backs in the SEC — was part of the “indefinite suspensions” after an alleged video made its way across social media. Although Auburn Live beat reporter Justin Hokanson confirmed Hunter is part of the investigation into the situation, it’s still unclear whether he’ll be able to take part in training camp with his teammates.

Hunter is Auburn’s top returning playmaker this season. He came in at No. 56 in On3’s Top 100 College Football Player in 2023, which is why his potential absence is concerning from an on-field standpoint. Last season, he totaled 668 yards and seven touchdowns to trail Tank Bigsby and Robby Ashford on the roster.

He can impact the game in both the running and passing games, and Hokanson said all eyes will be on fall camp to see if Hunter will be on the field. If he’s not, more questions will likely come about.

“Jarquez Hunter is an all-around guy,” Hokanson said on On3 Roundtable last month. “Powerful, fast, catch out of the backfield, All-SEC type back. If he’s not available, that changes everything. So, we’re kind of just waiting and seeing right now. You know, we’re just sort of waiting to see if he’s cleared. Let’s get to Aug. 1 and see what the status is, if he’s practicing.

“If we get to that point and we start fall camp, and he’s not out there, then I think we start going, ‘Okay, fall camp starting and he’s not available?’ Now, we have to start considering is he going to be there for Game 1 or Game 2.”