Auburn Tigers Offensive Line Draws High Praise From ESPN Analysts Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic Ahead of 2024 SEC Season Kickoff
In the brutal, trench-driven world of SEC football, games are often won and lost at the line of scrimmage. For Auburn, a program looking to reestablish itself as a contender under head coach Hugh Freeze, the offensive line has long been a source of concern and criticism. But heading into the 2024 season, that narrative is shifting—and some of the sharpest eyes in college football media are taking notice.
ESPN analysts Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic, both well-versed in the nuances of SEC play and line play specifically, have ranked Auburn’s offensive line among the most promising in the conference. During a recent segment evaluating the top offensive lines in the SEC, the duo placed Auburn firmly in the top tier, praising not just the talent and size of the unit, but the cohesion, experience, and depth Freeze and his staff have developed entering year two.
McElroy, a former Alabama quarterback turned national analyst, has never shied away from giving honest, often critical assessments of Auburn football. That’s why his recent comments carry even more weight. He described the Tigers’ offensive line as “a group that has made one of the biggest year-over-year leaps in the country,” emphasizing that “for the first time in years, Auburn can lean on its offensive line to set the tone physically.”
Cubelic, a former Auburn center and now a respected film analyst and sideline reporter, was equally enthusiastic. Known for his detailed breakdowns and line-focused analysis, Cubelic lauded Auburn’s combination of size, technique, and toughness. “This is the most complete Auburn offensive line we’ve seen in over a decade,” he said. “They’ve built real depth, real chemistry, and they’ve got multiple NFL-caliber players in that room.”
That praise is music to the ears of Auburn fans, who have endured inconsistent line play in recent years. From missed assignments and poor pass protection to an inability to dominate in short-yardage situations, the offensive line has often been a limiting factor in the Tigers’ offensive identity. But that appears to be changing under the direction of offensive line coach Jake Thornton and the overall vision Freeze has brought to the program.
Freeze made bolstering the offensive line a top priority the moment he arrived at Auburn. In his first full recruiting cycle, he aggressively pursued experienced transfers and high-upside freshmen to rebuild the unit from the ground up. The Tigers landed several key pieces, including high-profile transfer tackles and interior linemen who brought both skill and maturity. Those additions, combined with returning veterans who have developed under Thornton’s tutelage, have created a unit that’s no longer a liability—but a strength.
One of the key players in Auburn’s offensive line resurgence is senior tackle Dillon Wade, a Tulsa transfer who emerged as a cornerstone last season and returns with All-SEC potential. Wade’s footwork, strength, and leadership have made him a standout both on the field and in the locker room. Alongside him is fellow tackle Gunner Britton, who came from Western Kentucky and has adapted impressively to SEC play, anchoring the right side with toughness and reliability.
The interior of the line is equally solid, anchored by center Avery Jones and guards Jeremiah Wright and Tate Johnson. Jones, a North Carolina transfer with a wrestling background, brings physicality and intelligence to the pivot. Wright, who has transformed his body over the past year, is a mauler in the run game, while Johnson continues to show progress as a versatile interior lineman.
Depth, too, has taken a significant step forward. Players like Connor Lew, Jalil Irvin, and freshman standout DeAndre Carter provide Auburn with options and injury insurance—a luxury the program hasn’t consistently had in recent seasons. That depth has allowed Auburn to rotate players in spring practices and scrimmages without a noticeable drop-off, building trust among the coaching staff and creating real competition within the group.
The improvement of the offensive line has a cascading effect on the entire Auburn offense. Quarterback Payton Thorne, entering his second year with the program, is expected to benefit greatly from better protection and a more reliable pocket. In 2023, Auburn struggled to establish consistency in the passing game, in part due to frequent breakdowns in protection. With a more stable line in front of him, Thorne should have more time to make reads, progress through his options, and connect with a deepening receiver corps.
Just as importantly, Auburn’s run game stands to be significantly more dangerous. The Tigers boast a talented stable of running backs, including Jarquez Hunter and Damari Alston, who have shown flashes of brilliance. But great running backs need holes, and that’s where this offensive line’s improvement could be most impactful. Auburn is expected to return to a more balanced, physical run-first identity in 2024—something that Freeze has long emphasized as a core component of his offense. The line’s ability to open up lanes and control the line of scrimmage is key to unlocking that vision.
Beyond X’s and O’s, what makes this unit special, according to McElroy and Cubelic, is the chemistry. Offensive line play is about more than talent—it’s about trust, communication, and shared reps. Auburn’s starting five and their backups have spent countless hours building that rapport, both on the practice field and off it. They’ve embraced the challenge of rebuilding their reputation and take pride in being the engine that powers the offense.
That mentality was on full display during Auburn’s spring practices, where the offensive line consistently set the tone. Coaches praised their effort, physicality, and willingness to lead. Defensive players acknowledged that the line was giving them one of the toughest looks they’d seen in practice. And most tellingly, Freeze spoke publicly about the group’s growth, saying, “We finally have an offensive line that can go toe-to-toe with anyone in this league.”
McElroy and Cubelic echoed that sentiment, noting that Auburn’s line is built to compete with the best defensive fronts in the conference—Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M included. That’s a bold statement, but it reflects the strides the group has made and the confidence building within the program.
Recruiting also plays a role in Auburn’s future up front. The Tigers are continuing to target elite offensive line prospects in the 2025 and 2026 classes, pitching the vision of being part of a newly dominant trench culture. Freeze and Thornton are using the current group’s success as a selling point—proof that Auburn is once again a place where linemen can develop, compete, and prepare for the NFL.
There’s still work to be done, of course. Auburn’s line will need to prove its progress against live SEC competition. Games against the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and Texas will provide the ultimate litmus test. But the early signs, and the national recognition from respected voices like McElroy and Cubelic, suggest that this group is ready to meet the moment.
For a program that has too often been defined by inconsistency, especially in the trenches, the emergence of a strong offensive line could be the stabilizing force Freeze needs to turn Auburn into a perennial contender. The pieces are in place. The recognition is growing. Now it’s about translating potential into performance.
And if McElroy and Cubelic are right, Auburn’s offensive line won’t just be good—it might be great. And that’s a development worth watching as the Tigers march into a new chapter of SEC football under Hugh Freeze.
