Hugh Freeze acknowledges Auburn football is a 'work in progress'

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Auburn football program is very much a work in progress. New head coach Hugh Freeze knows that better than most.

Through the NCAA Transfer Portal, 20 new players have arrived and 19 have left. In addition, the Tigers signed 22 players in the 2023 recruiting class. Roster turnover across college football is at an all-time high and it’s no different at Auburn.

“That’s the challenge. I don’t even know all the names, truthfully,” Freeze said during SEC Media Days on Tuesday. “We’re going to have to wear tape on our helmet again, we’ve recruited kids after spring practice, I haven’t coached them or been with them a whole lot. It would be hard to say I know them, or they know me.

“I’ve never felt quite like this. I’m going to have to lean on our assistant coaches to help capture their hearts and minds. You come in as a transfer and you expect to play, but that isn’t going to be true for every single person. Yet, we’re going to need everyone in that team room to be of one mind and one accord.”

Within the last few weeks, Freeze traveled to the mountains, something he says he does every year. The purpose centered around Freeze developing a “teaching” plan for the next year. He hopes that helps reset things, as he’s been running ragged since being hired on November 30, 2022.

Immediately, the focus was hiring a staff, while salvaging a recruiting class. Then, it was starting spring camp at the end of February. After spring camp? More transfer portal moves before having time in the summer to try and reset.

Freeze said “tunnel vision” will be paramount to Auburn’s immediate success.

“There is no skirting the issue, that’s a big challenge for us to formulate a team from so many different, new faces in a short amount of time,” Freeze said. “Our program is work in progress. I’m ok with that, and (the players) have to be ok with that. I’m not a big goal setter. I believe on focusing on what we can do today to get better. If we can stay there, then hopefully from game one to 12, there’s considerable improvement.”

As for expectations, Freeze understands the dynamic. Auburn football recently announced the largest season ticket sell-out in the history of the athletic department. Fans are optimistic. On the flip side, most predictions place the Tigers near the bottom of the SEC West in Freeze’s first season.

“My expectations are for us to play a passionate, 60-minute football game every Saturday,” Freeze said. “Hopefully it’s fundamentally sound where we give our kids a chance to win games in the fourth quarter. I don’t set a goal on where we’re going to finish in the West. Man, can we just play well today at practice. Then tomorrow at practice, and see where that a puts us.

“I can see why they have us all over the place, I really do. We can’t control that, but we can control how we prepare fo the opportunities we’re going to be given. We’re going to be given 12 opportunities and I guess seven are at home, and with Jordan-Hare, we can make that more difficult. What we do with those and how we prepare is what really matters.”

Freeze updates the status of RB Jarquez Hunter

The status of Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter remains unclear as head coach Hugh Freeze refrained from commenting on the situation on Tuesday.

“I can’t comment on university policies and procedures,” Freeze said at SEC Media Days.

When asked if any other football players other than Hunter faced punishment, Freeze repeated the same answer, pointing to university policies and procedures.

Auburn University released a general statement in May regarding student-athletes being suspended while the university investigated a specific matter that involved Hunter and other football players.

The university hasn’t released any additional statements regarding the subject. This is the first Freeze has spoken about the situation.

Hunter is projected to be the Tigers’ starting running back and has continued to garner postseason attention as one of the league’s best backs.

On3 Sports Jesse Simonton is the latest to praise Hunter, calling him one of the top-10 most intriguing players in the SEC. Here’s what Simonton said about Hunter:

After serving as Tank Bigsby’s backup the last two seasons, Hunter is RB1 for the Tigers now in a new-look offense under Hugh Freeze. Hunter has explosive potential, averaging over 6.5 yards per carry during his career. He rushed for 675 yards and seven scores on just 104 carries in 2022, and while he’ll share touches with USF transfer Brian Battie, Hunter will be the guy Freeze leans on this fall. 

This offseason, Freeze called Hunter the “best running back I’ve ever coached.” Auburn has question marks at quarterback and receiver, but the Tigers did overhaul their offensive line via the transfer portal, so Hunter could have more room to operate — while being more heavily relied on. 

Hunter enters his junior season with 1,261 career yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged over six yards per carry during his first two seasons at Auburn backing up Tank Bigsby. Bigsby, of course, was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft.

Freeze called Jarquez Hunter the best back he’s ever coached during spring camp, while Williams praised Hunter’s work ethic and mental toughness.

On3 Sports Matt Zenitz called Jarquez Hunter one of the top-10 spring standouts in college football. Zenitz said this of Hunter post spring:

Back in early April, new Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze threw out a big-time compliment for his new running back. “I think Jarquez is special,” Freeze said. “I do, I think he’s probably the best running back I’ve ever coached, truthfully.” That’s how impressive Hunter was during the spring for the Tigers. After contributing as Tank Bigsby’s backup the last two seasons, Hunter now has a chance to show what he can do as Auburn’s No. 1 back. The Tigers’ staff is expecting a big year from him. One Tigers source said Hunter may be the best player on Auburn’s team.

Pro Football Focus ranked Jarquez Hunter one of the top-10 returning running backs in the SEC. Hunter was joined by teammate and transfer running back Brian Battie on the list.