Auburn Football A-Day: Top Recruits and the New Open Practice Format

Auburn’s annual A-Day is always a springboard for hype, development, and fan engagement. But this year’s version of the spring game — or, more accurately, the new open practice format — offered far more than just a glimpse of the Tigers’ depth chart. It became a full-blown recruiting spectacle, a developmental checkpoint for Hugh Freeze’s second-year squad, and a reaffirmation that Auburn football is charging full-speed into a new era of competition and culture.

Gone is the traditional spring game format of offense versus defense with heavily scripted playcalling. In its place: a high-energy, open practice that showcased position drills, 7-on-7 competitions, situational scrimmages, and red zone challenges. It wasn’t about crowning a winner — it was about showing the program’s foundation and future in a raw, engaging way.

And speaking of the future, it was hard to miss the sea of elite recruits lining the sidelines. Auburn made sure that this year’s A-Day doubled as a statement event in the world of SEC recruiting. Let’s take a deep dive into what made this year’s A-Day different — and why it could be a launchpad for Auburn’s 2025 momentum.

The Hugh Freeze Vision Comes to Life

When Hugh Freeze was hired at Auburn, he promised to reshape not just the on-field product but the way Auburn Football connects with its community, recruits, and future stars. This year’s open practice format is the clearest sign yet that the Tigers are evolving into a more modern, dynamic SEC program.

Instead of following the formulaic scrimmage structure used by most programs, Freeze and his staff leaned into transparency. Coaches wore live mics, players were rotated freely, and drills were conducted with a focus on development and intensity. Fans and recruits could see the real work — not a sanitized, made-for-TV show.

Freeze explained it this way: “We felt like we needed to get better today, not just put on a show. Our guys need reps. They need teaching. And this format allows us to do both — and lets the fans and recruits see how we teach and compete.”

The atmosphere inside Jordan-Hare Stadium may not have had the suspense of a fourth-quarter comeback, but it buzzed with possibility. Position coaches barked instructions. Quarterbacks adjusted protections in real time. Defensive backs communicated shifts and rotated coverages. In a sport often obsessed with flash, Freeze delivered substance — and plenty of it.

A Who’s Who of Blue-Chip Visitors

Auburn didn’t just open its doors for fans — it rolled out the orange-and-blue carpet for top-tier recruits. Dozens of blue-chip prospects from across the South made the trip to The Plains, and Auburn made sure they saw exactly what this staff is building.

Among the headline visitors was 5-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham from Mississippi, who was seen shadowing receivers coach Marcus Davis throughout the practice. Cunningham, ranked among the top receivers nationally, is a major priority for Auburn’s 2025 class and left impressed. Sources say the connection between him and Davis is real — and Freeze’s wide-open offensive concepts are catching his attention.

Joining Cunningham were several high-profile defensive linemen, including 4-star end Malik Autry, an Opelika native committed to Auburn, and 5-star edge Zion Grady from Charles Henderson High School. Grady’s presence was a statement — Auburn is not backing down from Alabama or Georgia when it comes to elite trench talent.

2025 quarterback commitment Ryan Montgomery was also in attendance, reaffirming his pledge and spending time with offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery. The Ohio native has drawn comparisons to past SEC pocket passers and represents a critical building block for Freeze’s future. Montgomery’s comfort level and leadership were on full display, as he actively engaged with fellow recruits and participated in chalk talks during the day.

Other notable names included:

• 4-star linebacker DJ Barber from Clay-Chalkville
• Top-100 athlete Derick Smith from Southside-Selma
• 2026 QB Julian Lewis, a reclassified five-star who is now open in his recruitment again
• Elite 2025 OT Micah DeBose, who is trending toward Auburn after recent decommitment from Georgia

Recruiting momentum was a theme all day — and Freeze clearly understands the optics. Letting top targets watch practice-style development in real-time, instead of a static scrimmage, gave Auburn a distinct recruiting edge. It showed the attention to detail, teaching style, and culture Freeze is creating. And it hit the mark.

Quarterback Development: Focus on Fundamentals

All eyes were on the quarterback room, particularly with Payton Thorne entering his second year under Freeze and Montgomery. The Tigers didn’t unveil a new playbook or unleash a tempo blitz. Instead, they emphasized mechanics, decision-making, and footwork in drills.

Thorne looked more confident, delivering crisp throws in red zone work and showing improved timing with receivers. His chemistry with tight end Rivaldo Fairweather and wideout Jay Fair was a noticeable strength — an encouraging sign after last season’s inconsistency.

But the biggest crowd reactions came when Holden Geriner took reps. The redshirt sophomore is gaining ground with a cleaner release and a faster internal clock. He showcased excellent anticipation on seam routes and executed well in situational reps. While Thorne remains the projected starter, the quarterback competition may be more alive than most assumed.

Freeze praised the group afterward: “They’re growing. We’re still figuring out who can do what in live situations. But I like the progress. I like the competitiveness.”

Defensive Line and Linebacker Growth

Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts’ unit may be one of the most underrated stories heading into the 2024 season. Auburn’s front seven was active, vocal, and aggressive during the open practice.

Keldric Faulk, the former 5-star edge rusher, appears ready to make the leap. He flashed elite burst off the line and forced multiple hurried throws in 11-on-11 red zone drills. Justin Rogers, the veteran interior lineman, anchored the middle with impressive leverage and gap control.

At linebacker, Eugene Asante led with intensity. His energy was contagious, and he flew to the ball during pursuit drills. Auburn’s linebacker group looks faster and more disciplined — a reflection of Roberts’ coaching and a revamped strength program.

One rising name to watch is true freshman Jamonta Waller, an early enrollee who turned heads with his physicality. He laid a perfectly timed hit during inside-run drills and continued to show why he was a top-100 prospect.

Wide Receiver Room Takes Center Stage

If there was one unit that fans and analysts keyed in on — it was the receivers. Last year, Auburn’s passing game sputtered in part due to inconsistent separation and dropped balls. But this year’s group looked different.

Camden Brown and Jay Fair operated as the leaders, with Brown particularly strong in contested catch situations. Fair ran smooth routes and showed chemistry with both Thorne and Geriner.

But the breakout of the day may have belonged to true freshman Bryce Cain, who repeatedly burned corners in one-on-one drills and caught a deep ball in 7-on-7 that drew audible cheers from the crowd. Cain’s speed and fluidity are reminiscent of Auburn playmakers of old, and he’s rapidly rising in the pecking order.

Newcomer Robert Lewis, a transfer from Georgia State, also looked the part. His veteran savvy and route-running polish give Auburn a reliable third-down option in the slot.

Offensive Line Cohesion and Depth

Freeze has made no secret that rebuilding the offensive line is paramount to long-term success. And this spring, the Tigers appear to be making gains.

Gunnar Britton, the veteran tackle, remains a cornerstone. But what stood out was the interior line’s chemistry. Avery Jones, the Miami transfer at center, has become a vocal leader. Guards Kam Stutts and Connor Lew held their own against a surging D-line, and the rotation allowed younger linemen to get meaningful reps.

Position coach Jake Thornton praised the unit for its communication and pad level, noting that they’re “playing faster and thinking less.” That kind of cohesion will be vital in SEC trench battles.

A Culture-Building Day

Perhaps more than anything, this A-Day was about reinforcing the identity Freeze is instilling. It’s an identity built on teaching, toughness, and connectivity. Coaches were seen hugging players after tough reps, correcting with detail, and competing with passion.

Players wore matching team-issued gear. Recruits were treated like VIPs. Former Auburn stars were spotted on the sideline. Freeze even opened the locker room to select recruits and families — a personal touch that resonated.

“We’re building something that lasts,” Freeze said afterward. “And I want everyone — from our players to our fans to our future Tigers — to feel that.”

Looking Ahead

This new open format isn’t just a change in style — it’s a philosophical shift. Auburn is embracing modernity while honoring its blue-collar roots. The result? A program on the rise, with top recruits taking notice and a fan base reinvigorated by what they saw.

A-Day 2024 might not have had a final score, but it sent a clear message: Auburn football is coming. With a full summer of development ahead and a stacked recruiting board in motion, the Freeze era is starting to heat up.

And if this open-practice model is any indication, it’s going to be authentic, intense, and unapologetically Auburn.