Auburn Football Set to Face One of the Most Daunting Quarterback Gauntlets in the 2025 College Football Season
The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most challenging in recent memory for the Auburn Tigers, particularly when it comes to the elite level of quarterback play they are scheduled to face. As Hugh Freeze continues his efforts to elevate the Tigers back into national contention, Auburn’s path will be paved with fierce competition under center—both in and out of the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers will square off against a murderers’ row of talented quarterbacks—some of whom are already considered future first-round NFL draft picks, and others who are rapidly climbing the national radar due to their breakout potential or high-level recruiting pedigree.
Navigating the Southeastern Conference is never easy, but 2025 seems especially daunting when evaluating the quarterback talent across Auburn’s schedule. The SEC is experiencing a renaissance of sorts at the quarterback position, with multiple teams boasting signal-callers who are either established stars or rising forces. Beyond the conference slate, Auburn’s non-conference matchups also bring their own share of quarterback firepower, ensuring that the Tigers’ secondary and defensive front will be tested early and often throughout the season.
Among the quarterbacks Auburn will face, Georgia’s Dylan Raiola stands out as one of the premier threats. The former five-star prospect and current leader of the Bulldogs’ offense is expected to be one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. Raiola’s combination of size, arm strength, and composure in the pocket has NFL scouts salivating. After a year of development and growing comfort in Mike Bobo’s system, Raiola could be poised for a Heisman-contending campaign in 2025. Georgia’s offense has traditionally leaned on its run game and tight ends, but with Raiola’s arm talent and a deep receiver corps, the Bulldogs could become even more multidimensional than in recent years.
From Athens to Baton Rouge, another quarterback Auburn must prepare for is LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. After years of waiting his turn behind Jayden Daniels, Nussmeier finally stepped into the spotlight and showcased his abilities during the 2024 season. His performances down the stretch, including a dominant bowl game showing, have set the stage for a potentially explosive senior season. Nussmeier is a pure passer with excellent field vision and the confidence to make tight-window throws. LSU’s offensive weaponry, paired with his skill set, makes the Tigers an offensive juggernaut on any given Saturday.
Texas, now a full-fledged member of the SEC, adds another elite quarterback into Auburn’s 2025 gauntlet: Arch Manning. The weight of his family name has only been exceeded by his development and composure on the field. After sitting and learning in his early years, Manning began to emerge in 2024 and is expected to be a centerpiece for Steve Sarkisian’s offense in 2025. His pocket presence, high IQ, and ability to read defenses pre-snap make him a nightmare matchup. Manning is not just a media darling—he’s a legitimate star who could be the face of college football by midseason.
Another player on the schedule who’s drawing buzz is Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold. As Brent Venables continues to build a more complete roster, Arnold has become the focal point of Oklahoma’s offensive strategy. A strong-armed, dual-threat quarterback, Arnold has demonstrated a rare ability to extend plays while maintaining his accuracy on the move. His mobility adds a layer of complexity that Auburn’s defense must account for. In 2025, Arnold could be among the top statistical quarterbacks in the SEC, especially if Oklahoma’s offensive line continues to improve.
Of course, no discussion of quarterback threats would be complete without mentioning Alabama. While Alabama’s quarterback situation was in flux in recent years following the departure of Bryce Young, they now appear to have settled on their next star: Julian Sayin. The former five-star recruit has all the makings of a top-tier quarterback. His crisp mechanics, accuracy, and leadership qualities have helped Alabama maintain its standard of excellence. Sayin is expected to take a significant leap in 2025, and with the Iron Bowl always being a heated contest, his presence raises the stakes even higher for Auburn’s defense.
Outside of the SEC, Auburn also faces some intriguing non-conference quarterback challenges. One of the most notable is DJ Lagway, the dynamic quarterback leading the Florida Gators. Lagway is a unique blend of size, speed, and arm talent. Though he plays within the conference, he deserves special attention due to the unpredictable nature of Florida’s offensive scheme under Billy Napier. Lagway can beat teams in a multitude of ways, and Auburn must be prepared to defend both the designed run game and the deep vertical passing attack.
From the ACC, Auburn’s early-season showdown with Miami will pit them against another elite quarterback in Jacurri Brown. After transferring back to Miami and winning the starting job, Brown has revitalized his career and added an explosive element to the Hurricanes’ offense. Brown’s athleticism, particularly his ability to scramble and make plays outside the pocket, makes him one of the more difficult quarterbacks to contain. Auburn’s edge rushers and linebackers will have their hands full trying to keep him from breaking off chunk plays on the ground.
Adding to the challenge is a potential matchup with Notre Dame’s CJ Carr. The Fighting Irish have remained a top-10 program largely because of their quarterback play and elite offensive line. Carr, a former five-star prospect with a polished throwing motion and strong decision-making skills, brings poise and accuracy to the table. He doesn’t make many mistakes, and if Auburn ends up facing him in a bowl game or early-season clash, it would present another stiff test for the Tigers’ defense.
Even in games against perceived “lesser” opponents, Auburn will not get a reprieve from talented quarterbacks. Programs like Ole Miss and Missouri are also fielding dangerous passers. Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss squad continues to push tempo and use spread concepts that can isolate defensive weaknesses. Their quarterback, Austin Simmons, is an emerging talent with excellent anticipation and a quick release. He may not have the national name recognition just yet, but his skill set could make him one of the breakout stars of the 2025 season.
Meanwhile, Missouri’s Sam Horn is another quarterback to keep an eye on. After a steady developmental path, Horn is now entering his junior year with the experience and confidence needed to take the next step. Missouri’s offense under Eli Drinkwitz has become more balanced, giving Horn a reliable running game to lean on and allowing him to attack defenses through the air with efficiency.
Every week in the 2025 season feels like a new puzzle for Auburn’s defense to solve. This level of quarterback competition places a premium on defensive depth, communication, and schematic discipline. Auburn’s secondary, led by veterans and rising underclassmen, must be prepared to cover for extended periods, handle complex route combinations, and communicate effectively against hurry-up offenses. The front seven must also apply consistent pressure while staying in their rush lanes, especially against mobile quarterbacks who can escape the pocket and turn broken plays into big gains.
For defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, the task ahead is monumental—but also a proving ground. If Auburn is to return to the upper echelon of the SEC, it must show the ability to slow down elite quarterback play. Scheming against such a wide array of offensive styles—from pro-style to spread to RPO-heavy systems—will test the Tigers’ flexibility and depth. The ability to disguise coverages, rotate fresh pass rushers, and force turnovers could be the difference between a good season and a great one.
Auburn’s offensive unit must also play its part. Facing high-powered quarterbacks means that Auburn’s own offense needs to sustain drives, win the time-of-possession battle, and capitalize on red-zone opportunities. A defense constantly put in short-field situations or returning to the field after quick three-and-outs will eventually wear down, regardless of talent level. Hugh Freeze’s playcalling, quarterback development, and offensive tempo management will be crucial in balancing the scales.
Ultimately, the 2025 season offers Auburn an opportunity to measure itself against the very best. Iron sharpens iron, and no position better defines a team’s success than quarterback. Facing such a formidable collection of quarterbacks will force Auburn to grow fast, adjust even faster, and compete with an edge every week. There will be little room for error, but the payoff could be immense. Navigating this gauntlet successfully could thrust Auburn into the national spotlight and lay the foundation for a return to championship contention.
While daunting on paper, such a schedule could also become the crucible that forges greatness. And if the Tigers can rise to meet the moment, the 2025 season might not only be remembered for the quarterbacks they faced—but for the grit, toughness, and evolution of a program on the rise.
