Auburn Football Fall Camp Will Be Defined by Position Battles, Offensive Identity, and Leadership Emerging Under Hugh Freeze’s Second Season
As the 2025 college football season draws closer, anticipation continues to build around Auburn football. Head coach Hugh Freeze enters his second year on the Plains with higher expectations, a revamped roster, and plenty of unanswered questions. After an up-and-down 2024 campaign that featured flashes of promise but lacked consistency, the Tigers will use fall camp as the proving ground for a new-look team aiming to compete in the SEC’s treacherous landscape.
Several position battles, schematic questions, and leadership dynamics will take center stage as Auburn begins fall camp. This next month of preparation is critical—not just for setting the depth chart, but for establishing the team’s identity in all three phases of the game. Here are the most significant developments to monitor as the Tigers prepare for a high-stakes 2025 season.
First and foremost, all eyes will be on the quarterback position. While Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold is widely expected to be QB1 heading into the fall, Freeze has stopped short of officially naming a starter. Arnold had a strong spring, impressing coaches and teammates with his arm strength, athleticism, and command of the offense. Still, the staff will want to see continued consistency in fall practices before fully handing over the reins.
Backup contenders include Holden Geriner, who brings experience and knowledge of the system, and true freshman Walker White, one of the top dual-threat quarterback prospects in the country. Geriner’s maturity and locker-room presence could make him a valuable safety net if Arnold struggles. White, meanwhile, is likely the quarterback of the future, but don’t count out his potential to push for reps early—especially if injuries occur or the offense needs a spark.
But Auburn’s quarterback play won’t improve unless the offensive line takes a major step forward. That unit struggled mightily in 2024, often failing to protect the passer or open running lanes. The Tigers hit the portal hard in the offseason, adding several experienced linemen to fortify the trenches. Transfer tackles Charles Jagusah (from Notre Dame) and Matt Frye (from Louisiana Tech) have already brought more stability and size to the line. Fall camp will determine whether they’ve gelled with returning veterans like Jaden Muskrat and Avery Jones.
Much of the offensive identity Freeze hopes to create depends on balance. Auburn wants to be able to stretch the field with Arnold’s arm while relying on a strong ground game led by running backs Jeremiah Cobb and Damari Alston. Both backs showed promise last season, but they’ll need more help from the offensive front and the receivers to create explosive plays.
Speaking of receivers, the Tigers must identify consistent threats on the outside. In 2024, drops, poor route-running, and miscommunication plagued the unit. But help has arrived. The arrival of LSU transfer Chris Hilton Jr., sophomore breakout Camden Brown, and five-star freshman Zion Ragins gives the Tigers a blend of speed, experience, and upside. Fall camp will be vital in determining who emerges as Arnold’s go-to target.
Watch out for sophomore Karmello English as well. After a solid spring, English could see his role expand significantly if he continues progressing. Freeze has emphasized the need for explosive plays and yards after the catch—two areas where English and Ragins could shine.
At tight end, the Tigers are expected to rely heavily on transfer Michael Smith and returning contributor Luke Deal. With Freeze’s offense often utilizing tight ends in hybrid roles—either lined up in the slot or motioning into the backfield—this position group must be versatile and dependable.
Defensively, Auburn has perhaps more questions than answers heading into fall camp. New defensive coordinator Ron Roberts has installed an aggressive, multiple-look scheme, but there were growing pains last year. The pass rush was inconsistent, and the secondary struggled with tackling and blown coverages. That must change in 2025 if Auburn is to survive in an SEC stacked with elite quarterback play.
On the defensive line, Auburn will need someone to step up as a disruptive force. Marcus Harris is gone, leaving a leadership void and a statistical hole to fill. The hope is that junior linemen Keldric Faulk and Enyce Sledge can anchor the line. Both have flashed at times, but fall camp will test their stamina and ability to handle double-teams.
Depth will also be crucial, especially with Auburn’s front often rotating players to stay fresh. Transfer help arrived in the form of defensive end Brandon Mack from Pitt and nose tackle Malik Langham from Florida. How quickly those additions adapt to Roberts’ scheme will determine Auburn’s defensive ceiling.
Linebacker is another area to monitor closely. The Tigers have depth here but need more dynamic playmaking. Senior Eugene Asante returns as the group’s emotional leader, while sophomore Wesley Steiner looks ready to break out. Freshman Tavion Wallace is a name generating buzz; he’s big, fast, and physical—a perfect fit for Roberts’ attacking scheme. If he adapts quickly, he could be one of the most impactful freshmen on the team.
In the secondary, Auburn boasts talent but needs cohesion. Cornerback Kayin Lee showed flashes of lockdown ability in 2024, but consistency remains a concern. Florida transfer Jadarrius Perkins brings SEC experience, while sophomore Terrance Love could be the answer at nickel. At safety, Zion Puckett and Austin Ausberry will battle for starting spots. This group has length and range, but must communicate better on the back end to avoid the deep coverage busts that plagued the team last season.
Another key storyline in fall camp will be special teams. Auburn struggled in this department last year—missed field goals, poor punting, and erratic kick coverage often flipped field position in crucial moments. Freeze has made it a priority this offseason to correct those issues. Kicker Alex McPherson is back and reportedly stronger than ever, while Australian punter Oscar Chapman returns for his fifth year. True freshman return specialist CJ Johnson could provide a jolt in the return game if given the opportunity.
Equally important, fall camp will serve as a crucible for leadership. Who steps up in the locker room? Who sets the tone on the field and in the weight room? Leadership was sporadic in 2024, especially during close losses when the Tigers often faded late. Arnold, Asante, Cobb, and Muskrat are among those being looked to as tone-setters this summer. Their presence and accountability could be what determines whether Auburn stays resilient in tough games.
The coaching staff also deserves attention heading into fall camp. Freeze has emphasized collaboration, but he’ll be the one calling plays this season, taking on a more hands-on role with the offense. That shift could bring more rhythm and innovation to a scheme that looked disjointed last year. Roberts remains in charge of the defense but now has more personnel to fit his system. The harmony—or lack thereof—between the two coordinators could define the Tigers’ identity.
Ultimately, Auburn’s fall camp won’t be about flashy headlines. It will be about accountability, development, and chemistry. The Tigers must make the most of every practice rep, every team meeting, and every opportunity to get better. The margin for error in the SEC is razor-thin, and Freeze knows that.
“We have the pieces,” Freeze said recently. “Now it’s about coming together, committing to the little things, and preparing like we expect to win every time we take the field.”
That mindset will be tested early. The Tigers open the season with a manageable non-conference schedule but hit the gauntlet in Week 3 with a trip to Georgia. From there, it’s a constant battle: Ole Miss, Texas A&M, LSU, Alabama, and others await. Fall camp is where the foundation must be poured—because once September arrives, there’s no time for learning on the fly.
For Auburn fans, the next few weeks represent hope—hope that Jackson Arnold is the quarterback they’ve been waiting for, hope that Freeze’s second-year jump is real, and hope that the Tigers can emerge from fall camp tougher, smarter, and more dangerous than they’ve been in years. If those developments take shape, the Plains could be in for something special this fall.
