Hugh Freeze suggests nasty rumor used against Auburn for negative recruiting campaigns

Hugh Freeze is enjoying another signing day at Auburn, bringing home one of the nation’s top recruiting classes. High school recruiting has been Freeze’s top priority since arriving on the Plains and results have shown. Some competitive battles with top programs have resulted in a few massive wins for the Tigers.

Unfortunately, negative recruiting does take place. One rumor Freeze heard about himself was that he be stepping down due to health reasons. The Auburn head coach not only denied them on Wednesday but believes other schools were attempting to sway recruits away from the Plains.

“Hugh Freeze acknowledged he heard rumors of him stepping down due to health reasons, saying those rumors were being used as negative recruiting tactics by other schools down the stretch,” Justin Hokanson of On3’s Auburn Live said via X.

If the tactics were being used against Freeze, they certainly did not work. Rankings have yet to be finalized but Auburn is expected to finish with a second consecutive top-10 class. Quite different results from when former head coach Bryan Harsin was in charge.

Looking at top players in the state of Alabama, Auburn logos are all over the place. Nine of the top 11 players wound up signing with the Tigers.

“Priority number one was we win our share of battles in-state,” Freeze said. “…This year was a success for sure. … It still matters that you represent your home state at a school you’ve dreamed of coming to.”

One thing is for sure — those players will be coached by Freeze moving forward. He is committed to Auburn and getting them back among college football’s elite. Two straight losing seasons is not what anybody associated with the program wants, especially Freeze.

But the talent is beginning to stack up. A ton of freshmen played for Auburn during the 2024 season and the same should be true in 2025. Freeze hopes for everything to come together and success returns while in good health.