Good news for Auburn Tiger: He is back again..
Hugh Freeze returns to the SEC with the Auburn Tigers preview
Though Hugh Freeze, the new head coach, has a difficult task ahead of him, Auburn supporters enter the 2023 season with a bit more optimism than they have in a long time. The favorable tidings? In terms of recruiting, he’s off to a great start, particularly with the 2024 class. The unfavorable report? Auburn won’t benefit from the 2024 class this year.
The Tigers will likely struggle for a few more years even though I believe Freeze is a fantastic long-term addition. It will take several recruiting cycles for Freeze to restore the program, so Auburn supporters will have to exercise patience.
With this Auburn offensive, where should we begin? In 2022, the Tigers’ SEC play average of 22.3 points per game placed them fourth out of five teams in the conference. Regarding pressure rate allowed, the Tigers were fourth from the bottom. Thus, the Tigers were not only starting a rookie quarterback, but they were also having trouble keeping the young player safe.
After a disappointing season in which he only passed for 1,613 yards in 12 games, Robby Ashford is back, but the position isn’t his to lose. In fall camp, he will face off against Payton Thorne, a transfer from Michigan State. Neither of the Tigers’ top two receivers from 2022 had more than 500 yards in the previous campaign.
Additionally, they added Caleb Burton from Ohio State and Shane Hooks from Jackson State, so in 2023 this group should be stronger. Tank Bigsby, a third-round draft pick, will need to be replaced at running back by Auburn.
After making an impression in the spring (668 yards on 104 carries, 7 touchdowns), Jarquez Hunter is expected to have a big junior season. Whether or when the offensive line improves next season is the biggest unknown.
Auburn supporters should be extremely concerned after viewing that list and realizing that there is only one power five player. With a new coaching staff taking over, it’s challenging to decipher this offense. In my opinion, they will still be better in 2023, but not much better.
On defense, things aren’t much better. In SEC play last season, Auburn surrendered 33 points per game, which was second to last in the conference (Vanderbilt). Just 19.3% of the Tigers’ defensive snaps last season (also the second-to-last) resulted in pressure. If this squad is going to win more games in Hugh Freeze’s first season, drastic improvements are required.
Only two of Auburn’s six edge/interior guys who played over 250 snaps last season returned. It’s understandable why Freeze was so involved with the portal on defense when Derrick Hall (selected in the second round) and Colby Wooden (drafted in the fourth round) left for the NFL.
Through the gateway, the Tigers welcomed three defensive lineman, including Justin Rogers, a notable prospect from Kentucky, and two edge defenders to their roster. Top linebacker Owen Pappoe has also left the Tigers, but their next two players are back, according to snap count.
The Tigers were active in the linebacker portal once more, adding four players, including LSU’s DeMario Talan. This team should be strong in the secondary. Auburn had four different safety players for over 375 snaps, and they will all be back in 2023.
Of the group, Donovan Kaufman was arguably the finest, racking up 38 tackles in just 7 games. Auburn brings back all of the key players from last year at Corner as well. Three players, including one of the finest in the SEC in D.J. James, played over 600 snaps for the Tigers.
This year, I believe Auburn’s defense has the best chance of making progress on either side of the ball. Freeze handled defensive concerns well in the portal, and they can plan some plays to increase the team’s competitiveness. In 2023, I think the Auburn defense will be stronger.
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