Auburn’s 5-star wide receiver commit, Jase Mathews, gave the Tigers’ fan base a glimpse of his passion and honesty on Sunday following the stunning news that head coach Hugh Freeze had been fired. The young standout didn’t hold back his emotions as the program entered yet another turbulent chapter.
Considered one of the crown jewels of Auburn’s 2026 recruiting class, Mathews shared his first reaction less than a day after the Tigers’ latest disappointment — a deflating home loss to Kentucky on Saturday night that marked another low point in an already painful season.
“I liked Freeze but anything to improve the program is great,” Mathews said, according to Steve Wiltfong of On3 on Sunday afternoon.
Those words from the Leakesville, Mississippi, native were straightforward yet telling, offering fans a sense of both optimism and realism. Despite the turmoil surrounding the team, Mathews made it clear he remains committed to seeing Auburn rise again. For a fan base that has endured week after week of frustration, his unfiltered honesty might be exactly what they needed to hear.
Mathews, who committed to Auburn on August 8, did so before the Tigers’ season spiraled into what has now become a 4-5 overall record and a 1-5 mark in SEC play. The recent loss to Kentucky only deepened the wounds of a season gone wrong, but Mathews’ decision to stand firm could provide a glimmer of hope for the program’s future.
As one of the premier prospects in the nation, Mathews is ranked No. 135 overall in the Class of 2026 according to the 247Sports Composite, placing him as the No. 19 wide receiver and the No. 6 player in Mississippi. With those credentials, it’s no surprise Auburn fans are looking to him as a potential cornerstone for the rebuild.
Come next fall, Mathews will arrive on the Plains with the opportunity to help rejuvenate a program desperate for a new identity — and his words show that his heart, much like his talent, is already fully invested in Auburn’s future.