Will Hugh Freeze and Auburn sign a transfer quarterback during the second portal window?

AUBURN — Hugh Freeze might bring in a transfer portal quarterback during the second transfer portal window, but nothing is set in stone.

“Will we take a quarterback in the second portal? I think. I’ll know a lot more after spring practice,” Freeze said on Thursday.

Freeze, offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery and offensive analyst Kent Austin did entertain some transfer portal options during the first 45-day window.

Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall, N.C. State’s Devin Leary, Oklahoma State’s Spencer Sanders were three that Auburn pursued in some capacity. McCall withdrew his name from the portal for now, while Leary signed with Kentucky. Freeze and staff backed off Sanders after evaluating him further, with Sanders ultimately signing with Ole Miss.

There were others that Auburn watched to see if they’d enter the portal, but in the end, the first window came and went without a transfer quarterback being signed.

“We entertained a few quarterbacks in my ind during the first portal window, but never felt great about many,” Freeze said. “There were a couple that we did that didn’t pan out for whatever reason here at Auburn, and I was OK with that, honestly. I’m excited about the ones we have.”

There are many moving parts in this equation.

First, Freeze is particular about evaluating quarterbacks and doesn’t appear to want to just bring in anybody. Auburn’s new head coach said during his signing day press conference in December that he doesn’t offer quarterbacks unless he’s personally seen them throw. That’s difficult when evaluating quarterbacks in the transfer portal.

Second, since arriving, Freeze and his staff have spent nearly all their time recruiting, and very little on evaluating current personnel. And what little Freeze has seen on current quarterbacks Robbie Ashford, T.J. Finley and Holden Geriner, it hasn’t been enough to make proper evaluations in Freeze’s mind.

“Truthfully, when I watched the cutups that I watched, it’s hard for me to adequately judge quarterbacks if they’re not afforded the opportunity to make reads and make different throws for a decent percentage of time. The sample size is pretty small if they weren’t under duress or it was a move-the-pocket scheme.”

In addition to Ashford, Finely and Geriner, the Tigers signed quarterback Hank Brown from Nashville, Tenn. in the 2023 class.

The second transfer portal window runs from May 1-15.

What is Hugh Freeze looking for in Auburn’s starting quarterback?

Whether it’s Ashford, Geriner, or a transfer portal quarterback, Hugh Freeze is very clear on what he expects from Auburn’s starting quarterback on and off the field.

“If you really want to be the guy that leads Auburn University as Auburn’s quarterback, the leader, it’s impossible for you to be a great quarterback and not assume the role as a leader,” Freeze said.

“Well, what does that look like? It certainly doesn’t look like that there’s no one in that locker room that wants to follow you. It certainly doesn’t look like someone who gets rattled every time something doesn’t go exactly right. It certainly doesn’t look like someone that’s on lists. That’s not what my SEC quarterback is going to be.”

Freeze referenced “lists” a few times on Thursday. He was referring to players’ names coming across lists for a variety of reasons, mostly negative. Freeze made it quite clear, he’s no fan of lists, calling them a “distraction” to his overall goals.

“I don’t understand how hard it is to park in the right spot or be on time, and I’m not saying we’re dealing with that, but I’d rather it be zero, truthfully,” Freeze said. “They have to understand the whole makeup of what it is. You’re going to get coached hard, but that doesn’t mean we don’t believe in you. You can’t blink when something negative happens.

“All of this talk that I’m doing, is it total reality? I don’t know because I haven’t coached them a single rep yet. I think what I’m saying is truth. They’ve been incredible to visit with. I’m being honest with them and they’re being honest with me, and I’m excited about spring ball with them.”