David Pollack Identifies Auburn’s Quarterback Uncertainty as Pivotal Question Mark Ahead of the Tigers’ Crucial 2025 Football Season
As the 2025 college football season draws nearer, the Auburn Tigers remain one of the most fascinating and polarizing teams in the Southeastern Conference. Under head coach Hugh Freeze, Auburn is attempting to re-establish itself among the SEC’s upper tier after several seasons of inconsistency. The roster is brimming with potential, the recruiting trail is hot, and the culture is slowly shifting. Yet despite all the optimism surrounding the Tigers, former ESPN analyst and college football voice David Pollack recently spotlighted the program’s most significant concern heading into the season: the quarterback position.
Pollack, known for his blunt and insightful assessments of SEC football, was candid when discussing Auburn on a recent podcast appearance. “I love what Freeze is building,” Pollack said. “They’ve got speed, they’ve got depth on the defensive line, and they’ve upgraded talent everywhere. But let’s be real—none of it matters if they can’t figure out the quarterback situation.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Auburn fans and analysts alike. The Tigers have recruited well and plugged several key holes via the transfer portal, but entering fall camp, there is still no clear starter at quarterback. Holden Geriner, the redshirt sophomore, has shown flashes but struggled with inconsistency in limited 2024 action. Meanwhile, incoming freshman Walker White—a highly regarded four-star from Arkansas—is already generating buzz as the possible future of the program. Then there’s Hank Brown, another young quarterback with arm talent but minimal in-game experience.
Pollack didn’t hold back when describing what he sees as the core challenge: “Auburn needs a guy who can not just manage the game, but elevate everyone around him. They haven’t had that guy in a while. Bo Nix had tools but lacked consistency. Since then, it’s been a revolving door. If Freeze can’t find that difference-maker under center this season, they’ll struggle to compete with Alabama, Georgia, or even LSU.”
Quarterback uncertainty isn’t new territory for Auburn. Since Nix’s departure, the Tigers have cycled through multiple quarterbacks with varying results. In 2024, the offense sputtered under the weight of an ineffective passing game, and opposing defenses keyed in on Auburn’s run-heavy tendencies. That led to inefficiency on third downs, red zone stagnation, and overall offensive predictability.
Freeze knows better than anyone that a competent, confident quarterback is the key to unlocking the rest of Auburn’s offensive arsenal. Throughout his coaching career, from Liberty to Ole Miss, Freeze has shown the ability to craft explosive, quarterback-friendly offenses. But he’s also made it clear that he needs time to find “his guy.” Walker White may very well be that quarterback of the future, but asking a true freshman to step into an SEC schedule that includes Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, and LSU is a monumental challenge.
Pollack’s observation isn’t just about individual skill; it’s about leadership and presence. “You walk into a huddle, you’ve got to command it. You’ve got to win over the locker room. Do any of these guys have that yet? That’s the question,” he said. It’s a fair point. Auburn’s offense features talented pieces—an improved offensive line, a dynamic backfield led by Jeremiah Cobb and Damari Alston, and emerging wideouts like Camden Brown and transfer additions from the ACC and Big Ten. But without a quarterback who can read defenses, make quick decisions, and hit throws under pressure, it’s all theoretical.
Pollack praised Auburn’s infrastructure, particularly the work Freeze has done with recruiting and culture. “Look, the defense is going to be solid. They’ve got dudes. The offensive line looks better. But you can’t win in this league if you’re getting C-minus quarterback play every Saturday,” he said.
The importance of solving this issue is magnified by Auburn’s brutal 2025 schedule. The Tigers open the season with a neutral-site matchup against West Virginia in Atlanta, a game that Pollack describes as a “must-win tone setter.” From there, it’s a relentless grind, with road games at Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, plus home games against LSU, Texas, and Oklahoma. “There are no breaks in that schedule. You can’t ease a quarterback in slowly—you’re asking them to jump into the deep end and swim right away,” Pollack emphasized.
What makes this even more pressing is the growing sense that Auburn is nearing a breakthrough. Freeze has been steadily rebuilding the roster with a mix of blue-chip recruits and experienced transfers. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked in the Top 10 nationally. The offensive and defensive lines look deeper than they have in years. The secondary features legitimate NFL prospects. The special teams unit is more reliable than it’s been in recent memory.
But none of that will matter without clarity and production at the quarterback position.
Inside Auburn’s camp, the competition remains open. Freeze has been tight-lipped about any frontrunner, saying he wants to see how fall camp unfolds. Still, it’s widely believed that Holden Geriner will get the first crack at the job, given his familiarity with the system and time in the program. Geriner has the arm strength and prototypical size, but his lack of mobility and inconsistent decision-making have raised questions. Spring ball showed improvement, but not enough to cement him as the surefire starter.
Walker White, on the other hand, has the “it” factor that often excites coaches and fans alike. As a dual-threat QB with a high football IQ, he brings a different element to the offense. Pollack compared White to a young Bo Nix in terms of athletic ability but cautioned that throwing a true freshman into the SEC fire could have long-term consequences if mishandled.
There’s also the possibility of a late-summer transfer portal addition. While nothing has materialized yet, Freeze has made clear he’ll always be on the lookout for experienced quarterbacks who can elevate the room. The Tigers pursued several QBs during the last portal cycle, though most top options ended up elsewhere.
In the broader context, Pollack believes that solving the quarterback issue could unlock a 9- or 10-win season for Auburn. “The pieces are there. You’ve got a great running game, a solid defense, playmakers. If you just get above-average quarterback play, you’re beating a couple of big-name teams,” he said.
Conversely, if the quarterback play continues to be a liability, Auburn could once again find itself in the 6-6 or 7-5 range, leaving fans frustrated and the program stagnant.
Pollack’s analysis rings true not just for Auburn but for most SEC programs. In a conference where elite quarterback play has become the norm—think Jayden Daniels, Bryce Young, Joe Milton, Jaxson Dart—the Tigers can’t afford to fall behind. It’s not enough to have good running backs and a stout defense anymore. Teams need quarterbacks who can extend plays, convert third-and-longs, and put pressure on defenses vertically.
Freeze has emphasized patience, development, and competition at the position, but with the 2025 season so critical for Auburn’s momentum, time is of the essence. Pollack’s comments, though pointed, serve as a necessary reminder: all the recruiting wins and roster upgrades mean little if the quarterback situation remains unresolved.
As fall camp nears, all eyes in Auburn will be on the quarterback battle. Can Geriner make the leap? Will White force the coaching staff’s hand with his playmaking ability? Or will Freeze pull another rabbit out of the portal?
These are the questions that will define Auburn’s 2025 campaign—and perhaps the Freeze era as a whole. Because as David Pollack made clear, until the Tigers find that steady hand under center, their ceiling will remain limited, no matter how talented the rest of the roster may be.
