Auburn Football Eyes 2025 Turnaround by Focusing on Special Teams Fixes After Costly Mistakes Derailed Momentum Last Season
As Auburn football continues preparation for the 2025 season under the guidance of second-year head coach Hugh Freeze, one lingering concern remains as critical as ever: special teams. A unit that has long played a pivotal role in the Tigers’ success—or lack thereof—proved to be a liability in 2024, as missed field goals, inconsistent punting, and lackluster return efforts contributed to multiple losses. Now, with a new season approaching and expectations rising, Auburn is determined to rewrite the narrative surrounding its special teams performance.
The Tigers have long prided themselves on fielding well-rounded teams, and when Auburn has been at its best—whether under Pat Dye, Tommy Tuberville, or Gus Malzahn—special teams have played a critical, often overlooked role in their success. But in recent years, that tradition has waned. The 2024 campaign highlighted just how costly special teams miscues can be. From muffed punts to blocked kicks, Auburn’s execution in the game’s “third phase” left much to be desired.
One of the most glaring issues was placekicking. The Tigers struggled to find consistency from their kickers throughout the season, often rotating between underclassmen and walk-ons. Auburn finished in the bottom third of the SEC in field goal percentage, converting just 66% of attempts. Several of those misses came in key moments—including a 47-yarder that could have sealed a win against Ole Miss and a missed chip shot in the fourth quarter against Mississippi State. Those misses weren’t just frustrating—they were the difference between a seven-win season and a potential nine-win campaign.
To address this, Freeze and special teams coordinator Tanner Burns went into the offseason prioritizing stability at the position. Auburn secured the commitment of highly touted kicker Liam Atwood from Texas, one of the top-ranked specialists in the 2025 recruiting class. Atwood, known for his strong leg and calm demeanor, has impressed during summer workouts, connecting on a string of 50-plus yarders during closed scrimmage sessions. Though still a freshman, he may be called upon early if Auburn’s veterans fail to provide consistency.
“I’ve never been one to shy away from pressure,” Atwood said in a recent interview. “If they need me to kick in Week 1, I’ll be ready. That’s what I came here for.”
Alongside Atwood, Auburn returns junior Alex McPherson, who has flashed potential but has struggled with consistency. McPherson, the younger brother of Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson, has the talent to be one of the best in the SEC but must prove he can convert under pressure. Burns has made it clear that the job is open and that competition will drive improvement.
Punting was another area of concern in 2024. Auburn’s net punting average ranked near the bottom of the SEC, often setting opponents up with favorable field position. While the raw distance on punts wasn’t always the problem, hang time and directional placement left much to be desired. The Tigers gave up several big returns that flipped momentum in close games.
To fix this, Freeze turned to the portal, bringing in Australian punter Mason Callahan, a product of the Prokick Australia pipeline that has produced a wave of elite punters in college football. Callahan’s unique style and rugby-style rollout punts could add a new dynamic to Auburn’s punting game.
“We wanted to get more versatile,” said Burns. “It’s not just about booming it 60 yards. It’s about control, field position, and minimizing returns. Mason brings that.”
Coverage units, too, have been a point of emphasis this offseason. Last season, the Tigers allowed multiple punt returns of 30+ yards and struggled with lane discipline and tackling. Part of the issue was depth—Auburn relied heavily on starters playing significant special teams snaps, and fatigue played a role late in games. With a deeper roster heading into 2025, the staff is optimistic about fielding more athletic, specialized units to shore up coverage.
Senior linebacker Cam Riley, a returning captain and special teams regular, has taken on a leadership role in demanding accountability and attention to detail in the unit.
“Special teams is about want-to,” Riley said. “You’ve got to run, hit, and be disciplined. We’ve recommitted to that this summer.”
Return duties remain somewhat unsettled but potentially promising. Sophomore running back Jamarion Burnette and true freshman receiver Trevion Martin have taken reps at both kickoff and punt return in summer drills. Burnette, a bruising back with surprising agility, showed flashes last season as a kickoff returner. Martin, meanwhile, is drawing comparisons to former Auburn return star Chris Davis for his acceleration and vision in the open field.
Freeze hasn’t named a starter yet but emphasized the need for a return man who can not only secure the ball but also flip the field.
“Too many times last year, we just didn’t change the game in the return game,” Freeze said. “We need someone back there who’s a threat. It changes how teams punt, it changes how they cover, and it gives us an edge.”
To improve overall cohesion, Freeze also made structural changes in how special teams are integrated into daily practice. Rather than siloing the unit into a single time block, special teams drills are now interwoven throughout practice periods. According to Burns, the goal is to simulate game situations more effectively and ensure players understand the importance of special teams in the flow of the game.
“We’re not treating it like an afterthought anymore,” Burns said. “It’s part of who we are. If we’re going to beat Alabama, LSU, Georgia—we have to be excellent in all three phases.”
Freeze echoed that sentiment during SEC Media Days, noting that special teams could be the difference in three or four games on Auburn’s 2025 schedule. With a gauntlet of opponents that includes trips to Texas and Georgia, as well as a season-ending Iron Bowl at home, execution on special teams will be critical.
In a broader sense, Auburn’s renewed focus on special teams reflects Freeze’s philosophy of winning the margins. While flashy offenses and aggressive defenses often dominate headlines, it’s the overlooked details—like a coffin-corner punt or a made 43-yard field goal under pressure—that often decide SEC matchups. And in a league as competitive as the SEC, one or two plays can shape the entire trajectory of a season.
The hope among Auburn coaches and players is that last season’s struggles served as a wake-up call. The offseason has been filled with film study, technique correction, and intensity—what Freeze calls “a return to the fundamentals of winning football.” Whether that translates to better performance on Saturdays remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: Auburn cannot afford a repeat of 2024’s special teams woes if it wants to take the next step in its rebuild under Freeze. The margin for error in the SEC is razor-thin, and the Tigers have already learned what happens when that margin is surrendered through preventable mistakes.
There is cautious optimism in Auburn’s camp. The addition of talented specialists, a deeper and more athletic roster, and a recommitment to detail have brought energy and urgency to summer workouts. But Freeze knows that improvement must be proven under the lights—not just in July.
“We’ve talked about it, drilled it, emphasized it,” Freeze said. “Now we’ve got to go execute it.”
As fall camp approaches, all eyes will be on Auburn’s special teams unit. It’s not the flashiest storyline, but it may be the most important. If the Tigers can fix their special teams struggles, they’ll be better positioned to challenge the SEC’s elite and turn potential into wins.
And if they can find a returner who can bring a stadium to its feet or a kicker who can quiet a hostile crowd, Auburn fans might once again come to see special teams not as a weakness—but as a weapon.
