Hugh Freeze wants to spark the Auburn Tigers’ SEC comeback as Jackson Arnold’s future is in doubt.

In the ever-shifting landscape of SEC football, fortunes can turn quickly. For the Auburn Tigers, 2024 ended in disappointment, with missed opportunities, quarterback inconsistencies, and bitter losses to bitter rivals. Now, with spring practices in the rearview mirror and the 2025 season on the horizon, second-year head coach Hugh Freeze is determined to spark a turnaround that will reestablish Auburn as a legitimate SEC contender. And while Auburn claws to return to prominence, a surprising new wrinkle in Norman, Oklahoma may open the door even wider: the uncertain future of Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold.

Freeze, hired in 2022 with a mandate to resurrect a once-proud program, now finds himself at a crossroads. Auburn has momentum in recruiting, a few rising stars on defense, and a quarterback room that — while unproven — is hungry for a leader. The SEC is wide open after Alabama’s reset, Georgia’s slight step back, and Texas and Oklahoma’s full integration into the league. All the ingredients are in place for Auburn to make a leap. But can Freeze seize the moment?

Auburn finished 7-6 in 2024, a record that belied the narrow margins that defined the year. The Tigers lost heartbreakers to Ole Miss and Texas A&M and were humiliated by Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Quarterback Payton Thorne struggled with inconsistency and failed to push the ball downfield, while Robby Ashford never developed into the dynamic dual-threat option Auburn hoped he would be.

Despite those shortcomings, there were silver linings. The defense, led by linebacker Eugene Asante and a retooled secondary, showed flashes of dominance. The running game, anchored by Jarquez Hunter, remained explosive. But most importantly, Freeze never lost the locker room. Players believe in the direction of the program, and so does the administration.

“Last year taught us a lot about ourselves,” Freeze said during spring practice. “We were close in so many games. But close isn’t good enough in the SEC. We need to finish. We need toughness. And we need leadership.”

The 2025 season will be pivotal, not just for Auburn but for Hugh Freeze’s future as a power-conference head coach. Freeze has insisted that Auburn is close to turning the corner. The question is whether he can prove it now.

The Tigers’ spring practices have emphasized physicality, tempo, and quarterback development. Auburn brought in transfer Hank Brown from Liberty, who has familiarity with Freeze’s system, and freshman Walker White, a blue-chip early enrollee, impressed coaches with his football IQ and arm strength. Though neither is a guaranteed starter yet, Freeze believes one of them can separate from the pack in fall camp.

“I’m not naming a starter yet,” Freeze said in April. “I want to see who competes, who leads. This league will expose anyone who isn’t ready. But we’re deeper now. We’re more confident. And we’ve got kids who are hungry.”

One of Freeze’s most important achievements since arriving on the Plains has been rebuilding Auburn’s offensive and defensive lines — a necessity in the SEC gauntlet. The Tigers secured commitments from several top-300 offensive linemen in the 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes, including five-star tackle Zayden Walker and four-star guard Kam Franklin. The goal is clear: build the foundation for long-term physical dominance.

On defense, Auburn returns a nasty front seven headlined by junior lineman Keldric Faulk, who had 8.5 sacks in 2024, and junior linebacker Demarcus Riddick, whose sideline-to-sideline speed has NFL scouts buzzing. With more experience and continuity, this unit could be the SEC’s most underrated.

“I think people are sleeping on us,” Riddick said in a recent interview. “We remember the disrespect. That loss to Alabama? That won’t happen again.”

While Auburn sharpens its tools, a dramatic situation unfolding at Oklahoma could change the SEC landscape. Jackson Arnold, the former five-star quarterback and heir apparent to Dillon Gabriel, ended 2024 with inconsistent performances, raising questions about his long-term fit in Jeff Lebby’s successor system.

Gabriel’s transfer to Oregon opened the door for Arnold, but Oklahoma insiders have recently reported tension between Arnold and the new coaching staff. With Lebby gone to Mississippi State and the Sooners adapting to the rigors of SEC play, Arnold has struggled with turnovers and has reportedly fallen behind in the quarterback competition.

The whispers became louder after Oklahoma’s spring game, when freshman Kevin Sperry dazzled with poise, accuracy, and command of the offense. Arnold, by contrast, looked rattled, missing easy throws and failing to lead the first-team offense to a touchdown in three drives.

Now, Arnold’s name is being quietly mentioned in transfer portal circles, especially with the May 15 deadline looming. Auburn, always on the lookout for a quarterback who can elevate the offense, has emerged as a potential destination — should Freeze and Arnold see mutual interest.

“I recruited Jackson when I was at Liberty,” Freeze noted when asked about Arnold. “I think he’s a great talent. But I’m focused on the guys in this locker room. We’ll cross bridges if and when they come.”

Auburn presents an intriguing landing spot for a quarterback like Arnold. The Tigers have talent at wide receiver, including breakout sophomore Karmello English and reliable senior Ja’Varrius Johnson. The offensive scheme — Freeze’s hybrid of tempo and vertical passing — would allow Arnold to showcase his arm strength and athleticism.

More importantly, Auburn offers the opportunity for immediate redemption. With Freeze still searching for his long-term QB1, Arnold could come in and win the job outright if he chose to transfer.

For now, it’s all speculation. But in the era of the transfer portal, situations evolve quickly.

“Anything’s possible in this new age of college football,” said SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic. “If Arnold becomes available, you better believe schools like Auburn, Kentucky, and South Carolina will be on the phone.”

Whether Arnold becomes part of Auburn’s plans or not, Freeze is determined to redefine what Auburn football looks like in 2025. After a decade marked by rotating quarterbacks and stale play-calling, the Tigers are embracing innovation. New offensive coordinator Joe Dailey, a former Freeze assistant with NFL coaching experience, is bringing fresh ideas to the Plains.

The Tigers want to be unpredictable — more pre-snap motion, more RPOs, more aggression on early downs. They want to dictate pace, not react. And above all, they want to be dangerous.

“We need to score more points — plain and simple,” Freeze said bluntly. “If you look at the SEC, you need 30-plus to win big games. We’ve been living in the teens and low 20s. That’s not going to cut it anymore.”

Freeze’s best argument that Auburn is on the cusp of something special may be found not on the field, but in the recruiting rankings. The Tigers finished with a top-10 class in 2024 and are pushing for a top-five finish in 2025. Five-star edge rusher Malik Autry, four-star quarterback Antwann Hill Jr., and top receiver Cam Coleman highlight a class that is rich with SEC-ready talent.

“Coach Freeze is building something,” Hill said after committing. “He tells it like it is. He wants to win, and he’s bringing in dogs who feel the same way.”

Freeze’s recruiting prowess has always been one of his greatest strengths, and now he has the Auburn brand and NIL support to close on elite prospects. The buzz around the program is real — and so are expectations.

Auburn hasn’t won an SEC Championship since 2013. That’s more than a decade of falling short in a league that demands constant excellence. For Freeze, 2025 isn’t just about improving — it’s about proving he can take Auburn all the way back.

The Tigers open the season against Southern Miss before diving into a brutal SEC slate that includes Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and LSU. It’s a gauntlet, but also a stage.

“We’ve got the hardest schedule in the country — again,” Freeze said with a laugh. “But that’s life in this league. If you’re scared, go coach somewhere else.”

With Alabama in transition, Oklahoma dealing with quarterback drama, and Georgia fighting off internal complacency, the SEC is in flux. That creates an opportunity for teams like Auburn, who have talent, vision, and hunger — but have lacked the consistency and leadership to take the next step.

If Freeze can stabilize the quarterback position — whether with Hank Brown, Walker White, or even a surprise portal addition like Jackson Arnold — Auburn has the pieces to be dangerous. A strong defense. Explosive skill players. And a coach who believes the turnaround is imminent.