‘Let’s not kid ourselves’: Hugh Freeze reveals why Auburn is set to play all 3 QBs involved in training camp battle
The Auburn Tigers will be entering a defining 2025 season. Coming off a five-win season that was even more disappointing than their 6-7 finish the previous season, there’s only so much patience that head coach Hugh Freeze will be afforded. Auburn feels like a major wildcard in the SEC this fall because they have so […]
The Auburn Tigers will be entering a defining 2025 season. Coming off a five-win season that was even more disappointing than their 6-7 finish the previous season, there’s only so much patience that head coach Hugh Freeze will be afforded. Auburn feels like a major wildcard in the SEC this fall because they have so much young talent, but also uncertainty between three quarterbacks.
The Tigers don’t want Freeze’s elite 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes to bolt if he’s shown the door, but Freeze’s resume isn’t good enough to stick with him through another losing season. While rotating through quarterbacks rarely breeds a successful season, Freeze needs to find an answer to his dilemma quickly. That’s why he’s looking at playing three quarterbacks in Week 1.
Auburn’s QB1 will be transfer addition Jackson Arnold, but Freeze also wants to see how the offense flows with uber-mobile backups Deuce Knight and Ashton Daniels. Freeze explained that he’s not able to see everything the room can offer in practice because the offensive line loses early, and none of the three passers are doing well in the quick game.
“I think Jackson, Deuce and Ashton, all three are really good at keeping their eyes up when (the pocket breaks down) and creating some explosive plays,” Freeze said earlier this week.
“Our offensive staff is very, they are frustrated. When you’re in a scrimmage and you don’t feel like you’re getting maybe the yards that you would have gotten because the whistle is just getting blown and somebody gets near them in the pocket, and then you watch the film, you’re like, I’m pretty certain, he got out of this one,” Freeze said.
“Now, I don’t know what would have happened afterwards. I would love to see. I don’t know how you do that, really, until it’s real. We’ve seen enough tape to know (Arnold) has that ability. And you see it out there. I mean, we called a few today. But I hadn’t seen the film, but it looked like, I mean, I think you’re clicking off five, six, seven yards there. And not just him. Ashton also, and Deuce.
“So, that’s a really good question and one I haven’t found the answer to exactly how to accurately evaluate that until it gets real.”
As exciting as it is to think about the collective mobility and creativity along the unit, it’s strange that Freeze built a room with three similar options. He clearly prefers guys who can extend plays and avoid some pressure, but it’s another thing to lose pocket passing ability.
“…the dropback game still needs some improving for sure,” Freeze confirmed.
“I think it’s more of the pocket passing right now that I’m a little unsure of, and I think it’s hopefully harder on the offense than it will be later in games. I mean, let’s not kid ourselves. I’m excited about the athleticism of our defense, and we’ve got to improve even. But they have been going against each other since February and know, oh, this is the pass and I’m just going to get after it.
“That puts you at kind of a disadvantage and hopefully that won’t always be the case when you’re playing an opponent. I think there’s definitely been signs of improvement that get me excited about us, but I still feel like that pocket is getting collapsed a little too quickly.”
Auburn’s defense is surely one of the best in the nation and will put immense strain on opposing offenses. It’s possible that Week 1’s matchup against Baylor will bring some reprieve, but it’s not a guarantee. Baylor isn’t as physical or deep as Auburn, but they’re fast and boast some playmakers.
Is Freeze just posturing and we’ll only see Arnold on Aug. 29? That’s my guess, as it seems like a disastrous scenario for a true freshman in Knight to see the field. Even playing two quarterbacks is a bad omen for how this summer has gone, and brings about a certain level of panic that can only be overcome when someone bucks the trend of what practice produced.
