Auburn Center Connor Lew Vows Tigers’ Offensive Line Will Be Feared By Every Opponent After SEC Media Days Statement

In the heart of SEC Media Days, where headlines are born and confidence often soars, Auburn sophomore center Connor Lew stepped up to the podium with a clear and defiant message — the Tigers’ offensive line will no longer be an overlooked group. Lew, one of Auburn’s emerging voices and a linchpin in Hugh Freeze’s rebuild, didn’t mince words.

“We want to be feared,” Lew said. “Feared by every opponent. Feared at every level. That’s the goal.”

It wasn’t just talk for the young lineman. Lew’s words echo the urgency inside Auburn’s football complex as the Tigers attempt to return to national relevance. After years of inconsistency up front — both in performance and personnel — Auburn appears to be finding cohesion, identity, and most importantly, belief.

Lew, who earned Freshman All-American honors in 2023 and became a staple at center by the end of last season, represents the prototype for Freeze’s vision: tough, smart, and unshaken by big stages. The Georgia native showed as much poise in front of reporters this week as he does snapping the ball inside a packed Jordan-Hare Stadium.

“I’ve never been more confident in a group of guys,” Lew said. “We’ve grown together, trained together, and fought through the hard times. Now, it’s about showing people who we really are.”

That journey, of course, starts in the trenches.

A Shift in Culture

For Auburn, the offensive line has long been a question mark. Even during the final years of Gus Malzahn’s tenure, and into the turbulent Bryan Harsin era, the unit struggled to find consistency. Injuries, underwhelming development, and recruiting misses left the Tigers vulnerable in the SEC’s most critical battles.

Enter Hugh Freeze and offensive line coach Jake Thornton.

Freeze, now in his second season at Auburn, knew from the beginning that rebuilding the offensive line was priority number one. He’s been candid about the shortcomings, and aggressive in fixing them — using the transfer portal, recruiting pipeline, and player development to rapidly elevate the unit.

“Connor Lew is the anchor,” Freeze said during his SEC Media Days appearance. “He’s the type of guy you build a line around. Smart. Physical. Driven. He embodies what we’re trying to be.”

Lew’s emergence as a vocal leader is no accident. The Tigers return several veterans up front, including Dillon Wade, Gunner Britton, and Avery Jones, but it’s Lew — the youngest among them — who has taken the reins.

“He just has that presence,” Thornton said earlier this summer. “He commands respect. And he works like every practice is the Iron Bowl.”

Building the Wall

Auburn’s 2024 offensive line is already being described as one of the most cohesive units the program has fielded in the last decade. Returning starters have meshed with new transfers and high-upside underclassmen to form a group that’s not only big — but mobile and smart.

Lew, at 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds, sets the tone with pre-snap communication and the tenacity to finish blocks downfield. He’s worked closely with quarterback Payton Thorne during the offseason, aiming to streamline protection reads and eliminate miscommunications that plagued the offense last fall.

“We’ve taken ownership,” Lew said. “When something breaks down, we don’t point fingers. It starts with us. We want to protect our quarterback, open lanes for our backs, and dominate the line of scrimmage. That’s non-negotiable now.”

The Tigers averaged just 164 rushing yards per game in 2023 — good enough for sixth in the SEC, but far from elite. The pass protection was even more suspect, with Thorne and backup Robby Ashford under duress in key moments. Lew insists those days are gone.

“I remember the feeling after some of those games last year,” Lew said. “Ole Miss, LSU… just not being able to protect. That stuck with us all offseason. It drove every workout.”

SEC-Wide Respect

Lew’s proclamation at SEC Media Days may have raised eyebrows, but it didn’t come from a place of arrogance. His statement — that Auburn’s O-line should be feared — came from a belief that the hard work is finally matching the vision.

“I’m not saying we’re the best line in the SEC yet,” Lew clarified. “But we will be. That’s the standard we’re holding ourselves to.”

Around the league, coaches are taking notice. One anonymous defensive coordinator reportedly told a regional outlet earlier this month that “Auburn looks bigger and more organized up front than they have in years.” Freeze hopes those whispers turn into full-blown respect by midseason.

That’s where the Tigers’ schedule will come into play. With early tests against Arkansas, Georgia, and Texas A&M, Auburn’s offensive line will face some of the nation’s top front sevens before October even ends. How Lew and company respond could dictate the trajectory of the entire season.

“If you want to win in this league, you have to win up front,” Freeze said. “It’s cliché because it’s true. I think we’re finally getting to a place where we can compete with anyone in the trenches.”

Leadership Beyond the Field

Lew’s leadership extends beyond the football field. During SEC Media Days, the sophomore was polished, honest, and refreshingly grounded. He talked about the bond forming inside Auburn’s locker room, particularly across the offensive line.

“You can’t fake chemistry,” Lew said. “We hang out together off the field. We eat together. We watch film together. That’s how trust is built. That’s how units become dangerous.”

He also credited Freeze and the Auburn strength staff for creating an offseason environment that prioritized both mental and physical growth.

“They challenged us in every way,” Lew said. “There were days in spring camp where we were dead tired, but we kept pushing. That’s where identity gets built. That’s where toughness lives.”

Eyes on the Iron Bowl

No conversation about Auburn’s offensive line — or any Auburn player, for that matter — is complete without mentioning Alabama. The Crimson Tide has dominated the rivalry in recent years, but Lew didn’t hesitate when asked what that game means to him.

“It’s everything,” he said. “I didn’t grow up in Alabama, but you don’t have to be from here to feel the weight of that rivalry. It’s deep. And we want to win it. Bad.”

He smiled after a brief pause.

“If we want to beat Alabama — and Georgia, and everyone else — it starts with us up front. That’s why I said what I said. We want to be feared.”

The Road Ahead

Auburn enters the 2024 season unranked in most preseason polls, but optimism surrounds the program thanks to strong recruiting, portal wins, and the continued development of players like Lew. If the offensive line takes a leap — and there’s growing belief that it will — Auburn could be one of the SEC’s biggest surprises.

For now, Lew’s words serve as both a mission statement and a challenge to his teammates. The message was heard loud and clear.

“We’ve been overlooked for too long,” he said. “Not anymore. This line is coming with attitude. With purpose. And with something to prove.”

Fear is earned in the SEC — and Connor Lew is betting that Auburn’s offensive line is ready to take that next, violent, respected step forward.