The Auburn Tigers football program has faced a rough stretch in recent years. Since Gus Malzahn’s exit in 2020, the team has been searching for stability, and the school is counting on Hugh Freeze’s third year as head coach to bring the team back into SEC contention.
On Friday, Freeze set the tone for the 2025 season, telling “The Next Round” that another 5-7 season like last year is not acceptable, and it’s time to reverse the downward trajectory the program has been on.
“I’m not naive—I know we need to make it to a bowl game,” Freeze stated.
Auburn hasn’t finished a season in the AP Top 25 in six years and hasn’t reached the 10-win mark since 2017. The program drew criticism during the Malzahn and Bryan Harsin years for its inability to bring in top-tier talent, leaving Freeze with the tough task of methodically rebuilding the roster and returning the team to national relevance.
“Our administration knows I took over a program that went four years without a top-25 recruiting class,” Freeze said. “We’ve now had two full cycles, both ranked in the top 10. Add one more, and the roster will finally feel complete.”
Auburn’s recent recruiting efforts back that up—247Sports ranked the Tigers’ 2024 and 2025 classes eighth and sixth, respectively. The 2025 group is headlined by four-star quarterback Deuce Knight and five-star defensive lineman Malik Autry, a local product from nearby Opelika, Alabama.
Recruiting analysts also praised what Hugh Freeze and his staff managed to do in the transfer portal ahead of the 2025 season. One of the key storylines is the revamped quarterback room, which includes Deuce Knight and Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold—a former five-star prospect who currently leads the race to start Auburn’s opener against Baylor on August 29.
“I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t take a step forward,” Freeze said. “And I believe that’s the kind of expectation our fans should have.”