The Auburn Tigers did not have their best season in 2023.
The Tigers managed to get back to a bowl game after failing to qualify in 2022, but that was the highlight of the season.
Auburn is looking to do more in its second year under head coach Hugh Freeze, and Freeze believes that’s possible.
Freeze joined the SEC head coaches’ weekly conference call and talked about the improvements Auburn made during the offseason.
One reason Freeze cited for the Tigers’ potential for a comeback in 2024 is their roster, which looks like it belongs in the SEC.
“There’s no doubt that our roster is more deep and more like an SEC roster,” Freeze said. “I still think we’re two recruiting classes away from saying, ‘Hey, our roster can compete with those playing for the College Football Championship and the SEC Championship.’ That’s not to say we can’t win games. There’s no doubt that we’re more deep and competitive in practice and look different visually. That’s exciting to see. I know we’re moving in the right direction with recruiting and I’m excited about the future here at Auburn.”
Auburn currently has the fifth-best recruiting class in the country and the best class of 2026, according to 247 Sports.
Freeze has rebuilt Auburn’s wide receiver roster, bringing in four interesting newcomers, including five-star recruits Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson. Freeze expressed confidence in the young receivers that they will be well prepared.
“I expect them to be ready,” Freeze said. “That’s the expectation and I think they have to accept that and be hard on themselves and our coaches have to be hard on themselves.”
Freeze talked about tight end Rivaldo Fairweather and how he would have a better chance of success with the additional talent at the wide receiver position.
“I think it’s only going to help him, honestly,” Freeze said. “If we can perform with guys like Perry (Thompson) and Cam (Coleman) and Dre (KeAndre Lambert-Smith) and some of those guys on the outside, it’s only going to make the matchup against him (Fairweather) more difficult. He’s been very, very solid all camp. He’s improved, he looks even stronger and bigger. He’s done well in the run game. He should have an all-conference year.”
Freeze mentioned what he’s seen from cornerback Keionte Scott, who is expected to take on a leadership role in Auburn’s defensive secondary this season.
“We expect big things from him (Scott),” Freeze said. “Once he’s fully healthy, we expect him to be a guy we can rely on. We’re so young in the secondary, aside from him and Jerrin Thompson, honestly, and we need him to play a lot of snaps at corner.”
Freeze and the Tigers open the season Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT against Alabama A&M at Jordan-Hare Stadium, broadcast on ESPN+/SEC Network+.
