The Auburn Tigers enter their second season under Hugh Freeze, and there is great optimism with the way recruiting has been transpiring. In 2024, Hugh and the Tigers landed the 8th ranked recruiting class in the country according to 247 Sports.2025 is even better as the Tigers have amassed the 5th ranked class in the country. And the 2026 class- it’s early they have six 4 stars to far- is the No.1 ranked class in the country. All of those classes are ranked by 247. The gems of the 2024 class are 99, 5 star receiver Cam Coleman, a 6’3, 185 standout from one of the Meccas for football in Alabama, Central Phenix-City. Hugh also added 5 star edge rusher Amaris Williams, 6’2”, 257 from Clinton, N.C, Ninety seven 4 star Walker White is a quarterback out of Little Rock’s Christian Academy. He looks to be the quarterback of the future. And Hugh has a nice haul in 2025. Georgia secured the No.1 class in 2024 and the Crimson Tide was No.2. Oregon was No.3, Miami was 4, Ohio State was 5, Texas was 6 and LSU was 7. In 2025, Ohio State is No.1 (Ryan Day? Are you kiddin me?), the Crimson Tide is 2, L-S-U is No.3, Georgia is No.4 and AU is 5. A&M is 6 and Tennessee is 8.

So what about 2024 for the Tigers? I like Coleman to be a real player. He’s extremely athletic, he’s making acrobatic catches this summer, and will make plays and take it to the house whenever he has the opportunity to. I’m hearing good things about Penn State transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith (6’1”, 185) and Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis looked pretty promising in the spring. Receiver looks talented and deep.

But somebody has to get’em the ball and that duty falls on second year starter Payton Thorne, the Michigan State transfer from two years ago. Hugh seems to believe in him, and he can run it for sure and is a competent passer. He threw for 16 TDs and 10 ints in 2023, so he’ll need to clean the ints up for the Tigers to be successful. The running back room looks solid with 900 yard rusher Jarquez Hunter back and highly capable backups in Damari Austin and Jeremiah Cobb, who they’ve been real high on.

Offensive line is retooled but with good 310+ pound size. The defense has some new faces, so first year coordinator D. J. Durkin has his work cut out to get the chemistry right and get the Tigers playing quickly and fast on defense.

Hugh will call plays and Derrick Nix, another veteran in the SEC like Durkin, will be the offensive coordinator.

Schedule

The Tigers open at home in its first 5 games with Alabama A&M (Sat. 8/31,6:30 PM CT ESPN+), Cal (Sat. 9/7,2:30 PM CT ESPN2), New Mexico (Sat. 9/14, 6:30 PM CT the Deuce or Duh U), Arkansas (Sat, 9/21, 2:30 or 7 PM CT Network TBA), and No. 16 Oklahoma all coming to Jordan-Hare. If they can survive that, they’re @ No.1 Georgia Saturday, 10/5, at 2:30 or 8 PM CT with network to be determined. Then the Tigers are off on 10/12, and go to No.11 Missouri on Saturday, 10/19, with game time either at 11 AM or 12 PM CT (TBD on network). Then @ Kentucky, Saturday, 10/26, at either 5 or 7 PM CT (TBD), home vs Vandy Saturday, 11/2, at 11 AM or 12 PM CT. Then the Tigers are off on Nov. 9, and off on 11/16,- I mean they play ULM at home. Then, on Saturday, 11/23, No. 25 A&M comes to Auburn. And, finally, they’re @ the No.5 Crimson Tide on Saturday, 11/30, at 2:30 or 7 PM CT on ABC or ESPN. CBS is no longer broadcasting SEC games. They’re with the Big Ten now with ESPN, ABC and the Network taking over now for the SEC Game of the week.

The Tigers’ Prospects in 2024

The schedule is pretty favorable for the Tigers. If Thorne can come through, the line plays well, and the defense puts it together this could be an 8 or 9 win team, maybe 10, and not out of the realm to make the playoff with a 12 team national championship postseason now. I can see the Tigers going 5-0 out of the blocks with Arkansas and OU being tests. At Georgia and @ the Crimson Tide are tough, but we don’t know how the Tide will play under first year coach Kalen DeBoar. At Missouri seems tough from the rankings, but Auburn has better athletes that Missouri does overall. At Kentucky is no picnic either and A&M at home is tricky, but all three are doable.

So, I think the Tigers can put together a very good season if the health holds up and Thorne plays well and the defense can perform well. The skill players are excellent.