Five Crucial Questions Facing Hugh Freeze and Auburn Football Ahead of SEC Media Days and the Pivotal 2025 College Season
As SEC Media Days approach, Auburn football finds itself at a crossroads—a program steeped in tradition, striving to reassert its relevance in a rapidly evolving Southeastern Conference. The 2025 season carries weighty expectations, not just because it’s Hugh Freeze’s second year at the helm, but because the Tigers can no longer afford to dwell in mediocrity. A 6–7 campaign in 2024 raised eyebrows and forced hard questions inside the Auburn facility. Now, with national media attention turning toward the Tigers, Freeze must provide answers to key questions that will shape the perception and trajectory of his program going forward.
While Auburn fans remain optimistic about the future, thanks to promising recruiting momentum and a revamped staff, there are five major storylines that loom large ahead of SEC Media Days. Each one cuts to the core of what this team could become—or fail to be—in 2025.
Perhaps the most pressing question Freeze will face in front of microphones is about the quarterback position. Payton Thorne’s departure leaves the most important job on the field up for grabs, and the competition is as wide open as it’s been in years.
Jackson Arnold, the Oklahoma transfer, enters the fall as the presumed frontrunner. A former five-star recruit, Arnold brings athleticism, arm talent, and two years of college-level experience—even if it wasn’t as a full-time starter. His arrival was seen as a major coup for Freeze in the transfer portal. Yet, Holden Geriner remains on the roster and has waited patiently for an opportunity to take control. Meanwhile, true freshman Walker White has been drawing praise for his leadership and intelligence despite being new to the college game.
The challenge is that Freeze’s new offensive coordinator, Joe Brady, will be implementing an entirely new scheme. It’s one that requires quick decision-making, pocket movement, and accuracy on intermediate throws—traits that Arnold has flashed, but not yet proven consistently in live action. Auburn’s quarterback battle will extend into fall camp, but the urgency to name a leader and build offensive chemistry before the opener against Baylor is mounting.
Freeze will be pressed at SEC Media Days to outline how much of a leash Arnold will get, how real the competition with Geriner is, and whether White is viewed as a viable option in year one. His answer may not provide a final verdict, but it will hint at what kind of identity Auburn hopes to build under center.
In 2024, Auburn’s offense was stagnant, predictable, and at times painful to watch. The Tigers ranked near the bottom of the SEC in passing offense, third-down conversions, and explosive plays. The lack of identity was evident, and Freeze knew something had to change. Enter Joe Brady—a name synonymous with offensive innovation after his breakout season at LSU in 2019.
Brady brings NFL experience, tempo, and a modern passing philosophy. However, revamping an offense isn’t just about schemes and playbooks—it’s about personnel, execution, and time. Auburn’s offensive line has undergone reshuffling, the wide receiver room is still searching for consistent production, and the tight ends—while talented—must adjust to new route combinations and blocking assignments.
Auburn does have playmakers like Rivaldo Fairweather at tight end, North Texas transfer Ja’Mori Maclin at receiver, and Damari Alston in the backfield. But the question remains: can Brady unlock enough of this unit’s potential to elevate Auburn into a true threat against elite defenses?
Media Days will test Freeze’s confidence in Brady’s system and his belief in the offensive pieces he’s assembled. If the coach can articulate how Auburn plans to stretch the field, simplify reads for the quarterback, and develop vertical threats, it will ease concerns that Auburn is still chasing an identity on offense.
Hugh Freeze didn’t just overhaul the offense this offseason—he made a bold change on the defensive side as well by bringing in Lance Guidry from Miami. Guidry is known for his aggressive, attack-first approach. Auburn’s defense showed flashes in 2024 but lacked the consistency and tenacity that has traditionally defined Tiger football.
The front seven will be Guidry’s top priority. Keldric Faulk and Jayson Jones return as experienced anchors on the defensive line, while Eugene Asante has emerged as a vocal leader at linebacker. But the defense as a whole must improve in three areas: tackling, third-down efficiency, and forcing turnovers. Auburn simply didn’t create enough chaos last year to keep the team in games when the offense stalled.
Guidry’s system is predicated on disruption. That means more blitzing, more press coverage, and more reliance on athleticism in space. This will be a drastic shift from the conservative approach of recent years, and Freeze is betting that the new philosophy will match the talent he’s recruited.
At Media Days, Freeze will likely be asked how he balances aggression with discipline, and whether the defense can be counted on to keep Auburn competitive in what is shaping up to be a brutal SEC slate. He’ll also be expected to explain how quickly the players are adjusting to Guidry’s system and which emerging defenders fans should watch for.
There are no easy seasons in the SEC, but 2025 may be one of the toughest in recent memory for Auburn. The Tigers open with a tricky road game at Baylor and face a daunting stretch that includes Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Texas, and Ole Miss. Simply put, there are few breathers—and every game will test Auburn’s depth and resilience.
Freeze knows that expectations are rising despite last season’s struggles. That’s partly due to a strong recruiting class, transfer portal wins, and the sense that the program is being rebuilt the right way. But fans are hungry for on-field results. A 7–5 season might represent progress to some, but others will see it as not enough.
How Freeze manages the mental and physical toll of the schedule will be critical. Depth, health, and leadership will be tested weekly. Freeze will need to get buy-in from his veterans and keep younger players ready to contribute when injuries strike.
Media Days will present an opportunity for Freeze to temper expectations without sounding defeatist. He’ll need to walk a fine line—projecting confidence while acknowledging the grind ahead. More importantly, he’ll need to convince people that Auburn isn’t just looking to survive 2025, but to make a statement against top-tier competition.
Hugh Freeze’s return to the SEC came with scrutiny—and Auburn’s decision to hire him was met with both excitement and hesitation. Year one did little to quiet the doubters. A losing season, blowout losses to rivals, and an offense that never clicked left many questioning whether Freeze can deliver long-term success on the Plains.
However, the foundation for a turnaround may finally be in place. Recruiting is trending upward. Staff changes suggest an awareness of what went wrong. And the roster has been reshaped with a blend of youth and veteran leadership.
Now, Freeze must communicate a clear vision to both the media and Auburn’s fanbase. What is this team’s identity? What are the non-negotiables in terms of culture and effort? And perhaps most importantly, why should fans believe that 2025 is the beginning of something real?
SEC Media Days are often a platform for coach-speak and vague optimism. But Freeze has a chance to do more—he can reframe the Auburn narrative. Instead of being seen as a program in transition, Auburn can present itself as a sleeping giant on the verge of waking up.
Whether he chooses to embrace the pressure or downplay it, Freeze’s words will carry weight. And how he answers these five questions may set the tone for the entire 2025 season.
For Auburn, this is about more than media headlines. It’s about defining who they are, where they’re going, and whether the rest of the SEC should start paying closer attention.
