Hugh Freeze on recruiting Alabama players: 'We wanna win this state'

Auburn has plenty of work to do to get back to their program’s previous heights. One way to do so, though, is through recruiting, especially in their own backyard where they’re battling with a top-notch, in-state rival.

On National Signing Day, Hugh Freeze spoke about the importance of winning in Alabama on the recruiting trail. After signing a dozen prospects from the state, he hopes that the Tigers can do that and better in the future.

“We signed 12 guys from the state of Alabama, which is big because we want to win this state,” said Freeze.

“I don’t know if we won the state this year or not. I don’t know how that’s determined,” Freeze said. “We certainly would like to in the future – winning our share, if not more than our share, in this state.”

Auburn penned the No. 7 class in the nation per On3’s Industry Team Rankings. That class featured two of the state’s four total five-stars in WR Cam Coleman, the state’s top prospect, and WR Perry Thompson. In total, they acquired 11 players that were inside the Top-35 in the rankings for the state.

In comparison, Alabama brought in the No. 2 class in the country with 25 total signees and commits. Overall, they have signed eight such players in the Top-35 from inside of the state.

Freeze’s first full class is on track to have Auburn moving in the right direction heading into his second year. However, if the program wants to keep that pace, they’ll have to continue to compete with the best of the best, including the Crimson Tide, for quality prospects, whether at home or abroad.

Freeze explains mindset of staying on recruits

Coaches across the country have been vocal about recruits making last-second commitment flips. None more so than Hugh Freeze when it came to offers by last-second bidders.

Freeze wasn’t shy about giving a first-hand account on what it was like to lose one of his top guys. He was then even more so about hanging on to the guys that kept their word through signing day.

“I think relationships are always key,” Freeze said during an appearance on the SEC Network on Wednesday. “I know there are other factors in this day and time. But I think probably, for a head coach, I don’t know. I certainly don’t claim to be better than others. But I do think I’m probably as consistent, if not more consistent, in being active in a certain group of kids’ recruitment. I can’t do it for everybody but I’m really involved in that, along with key staff members.”

“Hopefully, over the course of time, if you pick a certain number — 24 guys or something. If you can just win out on 10-12 of those guys that are difference makers? Then you’ve got to get in some of those battles and win a few to be competitive with the elite in this conference. That’s represented and you need to be around that Top-10 every year, if not a little higher, to truthfully get this done.”