CBS Sports Metric Highlights Auburn’s Recruiting Struggles as Tigers Lag Behind SEC Powers in Battle for Top Talent Again
Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football, especially in the Southeastern Conference, where every team competes not just on Saturdays but also every day on the trail. For Auburn, a proud program with a rich history and passionate fan base, recent recruiting results have fallen short of expectations—and a new metric released by CBS Sports only reinforces the gap between the Tigers and the SEC’s elite. According to the CBS Sports Talent Composite Metric, Auburn is currently underachieving in its ability to land and develop top-tier high school recruits compared to its rivals, a sobering reality that highlights the challenges still facing Hugh Freeze as he tries to rebuild the program into a consistent contender.
The CBS Sports metric, which factors in blue-chip ratios, recruiting class rankings over a rolling four-year period, and total talent accumulation, showed Auburn ranked significantly lower than traditional SEC heavyweights like Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and even emerging programs like Texas and Oklahoma. While Auburn’s 2025 class currently ranks inside the top 20 nationally, that placement loses some of its shine when viewed in the context of SEC competition. In a league where nine or ten programs routinely land top-15 classes, anything outside the top 10 often translates to falling behind on the field.
Hugh Freeze, now entering his second full year at Auburn, has worked tirelessly to jumpstart recruiting. He inherited a fractured roster and a program coming off coaching instability, poor offensive production, and multiple years of declining on-field results. While Freeze has generated positive momentum in terms of public perception and staff energy, the measurable results—especially in elite five-star commitments—still lag behind the conference’s frontrunners. Auburn has secured solid pieces in each of Freeze’s first two recruiting cycles, but the elite, program-changing players—the kind who start as freshmen and become first-round NFL Draft picks—have mostly chosen to go elsewhere.
The CBS metric highlighted a troubling pattern: Auburn continues to sign fewer top-100 and top-50 prospects than almost every team it’s trying to compete with for SEC championships. While Georgia and Alabama often stockpile five-stars across the board, and Texas and LSU regularly secure deep, balanced hauls, Auburn has too often relied on three-star developmental prospects or mid-level four-stars who require more seasoning before contributing. That formula can work over time, but it leaves a narrow margin for error and puts the Tigers at a disadvantage in games where elite talent often makes the difference.
One of the key takeaways from the CBS Sports analysis is the growing divide between the SEC’s top tier and its middle class. Programs like Georgia, Alabama, and now Texas are recruiting at levels previously seen only in dynasties. Auburn, for all its tradition and potential, is not currently among that top tier—and the data confirms it. Over the past four recruiting classes, Auburn’s composite score has been consistently below the playoff-level threshold outlined in the CBS model. That threshold, often associated with teams capable of reaching the College Football Playoff, requires both elite top-end talent and roster depth that Auburn has yet to consistently accumulate.
Freeze has not ignored the problem. In fact, he has leaned heavily on the transfer portal to supplement the roster, especially at key positions like wide receiver, offensive line, and cornerback. That strategy has helped Auburn remain competitive in the short term and has provided some stability during the transition period. Players like D.J. James, Marcus Harris, and Payton Thorne were all key additions via the portal and have become leaders within the program. But as the CBS metric suggests, sustained success in the SEC rarely comes from building rosters through the portal alone. The best programs combine elite recruiting with strategic portal usage. Right now, Auburn is leaning too heavily on the latter.
This offseason, Auburn’s recruiting has shown flashes of promise. The Tigers secured commitments from several highly regarded defensive prospects and have been finalists for a handful of blue-chip offensive players. But competing head-to-head with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and LSU for elite talent remains a struggle. In several high-profile battles, Auburn has been left at the altar by prospects who ultimately chose more stable, better-resourced programs. That trend must change if Freeze’s vision for Auburn is going to materialize into championships.
One of the most glaring indicators of Auburn’s recruiting shortfall is its recent track record at quarterback. The Tigers have not signed a five-star quarterback since Bo Nix in 2019, and they’ve lacked a true game-changing presence at the position ever since. Freeze landed four-star Walker White in the 2024 class, and there is optimism surrounding his development. But the CBS metric reflects the reality that Auburn has not consistently signed or developed elite quarterbacks, and in today’s college football, that’s a critical deficiency.
Offensive line is another area where the talent gap has been clear. Auburn has struggled in recent years to both sign and retain top-tier linemen. While Freeze has addressed the issue through the portal, the inability to develop homegrown five-star linemen has contributed to inconsistent offensive performance. The CBS metric underscores that the Tigers’ trench recruiting has lagged well behind SEC rivals—an issue that can’t be fixed overnight.
On the flip side, Auburn’s defensive recruiting has been more encouraging. The Tigers continue to attract high-upside defenders, especially in the front seven. The staff’s ability to identify and develop talent on the defensive side has been solid, and it’s one of the main reasons Auburn’s defense has remained respectable despite roster challenges. Linebacker Eugene Asante and cornerback D.J. James are prime examples of players who’ve emerged as All-SEC level talents despite not being high-profile recruits initially. Still, to take the next step, Auburn must not only develop talent but sign more of it—especially at premium positions.
Perhaps the most frustrating part of the CBS Sports metric for Auburn fans is that the potential is clearly there. Auburn has elite facilities, a passionate fan base, strong NIL backing, and proximity to some of the nation’s most fertile recruiting grounds. The ingredients for top-tier recruiting exist. But the Tigers have not capitalized the way their rivals have. Whether due to instability, poor evaluations, or simply being out-recruited, Auburn continues to fall just short of the SEC’s inner circle.
Freeze has been vocal about his desire to change that narrative. He’s overhauled Auburn’s recruiting department, made inroads with high school coaches across the Southeast, and adopted a more aggressive approach in talent acquisition. His message to recruits has been simple: Auburn is building something real, and there’s a chance to play early and be part of a turnaround. That pitch has resonated with some—but not yet enough to change the national perception.
Auburn’s path forward must include a breakthrough on the trail. Freeze and his staff need to win a few marquee battles, especially at quarterback, wide receiver, and offensive tackle. They also need to hold onto the talent they sign—an increasing challenge in the age of the transfer portal. Retention, development, and culture will all play major roles, but it starts with winning more head-to-head battles against the SEC’s elite.
The CBS metric isn’t the final word on Auburn’s future, but it is a clear reflection of the current state of affairs. The Tigers are not recruiting at a championship level, and until that changes, their path back to the top of the SEC will remain uphill. Freeze has time and support, but expectations are high on the Plains. Auburn fans don’t settle for mediocrity, and the longer the gap persists, the louder the questions will grow.
Still, there’s reason for cautious optimism. Auburn is in better shape now than it was two years ago. The roster is more competitive, the staff is more unified, and the program finally has direction. But metrics like the one CBS Sports released serve as reminders: in the SEC, potential and passion only go so far. Talent wins. Auburn must close the gap—or risk being left behind.
