JD PicKell: Why Hugh Freeze, Auburn are succeeding in transfer portal

Hugh Freeze has made it very clear — he is not interested in a rebuilding process at Auburn. He expects instant success but needs talent to do so and in turn, has been aggressive in the transfer portal this offseason.

After last year’s 5-7 finish to the season, his main job has been to rebuild the roster. Since his hiring, Freeze has snagged 18 transfers from the portal this offseason thanks to one strategy that On3’s JD PicKell pointed out on a recent episode of The Hard Count.

“The first thing that Auburn can sell is playing time. It’s not a thing where you can come to Auburn and wait your turn, develop through the depth chart and eventually you get to play. Hugh Freeze has been extremely transparent,” PicKell said. “He came on [The Hard Count] and was transparent to us saying, ‘we are open to anybody that is able to help Auburn on the field and help our culture.’

“You’re seeing a lot of these [transfers] that are talented, that are going to play this coming season. Not guys they’re willing to have wade and eventually get on the field. No, [they can] help Auburn this year.”

PicKell pointed out three players in particular — former SEC defenders LB Austin Keys and DL Justin Rogers — and former Michigan State QB Payton Thorne. Keys and Rogers were both productive in their roles at Ole Miss and Kentucky, respectively, but Thorne has a legitimate chance to be Freeze’s day-one starting quarterback before the start of the season.

This means returning quarterbacks TJ Finley and Robby Ashford will have to do all they can to keep their spots on the depth chart before the start of the season. Thorne comes into the program with 6,496 passing yards and 49 passing touchdowns during his Michigan State career. He went 16-9 as the starter, meaning he’s the most experienced, and winningest quarterback on the roster.

On top of that, Thorne is expected to remain at Auburn for longer than just the 2023 season. This allows Freeze the opportunity to develop his program around a sure-armed quarterback for the next couple of years and see where it takes them.

“Auburn isn’t interested in waiting around,” PicKell said. “They can sell playing time to these guys. Evidently, that has been a strong pitch as Auburn now has a top five portal class and has got 18 transfers. So what they’re pitching is obviously working.”