The Auburn Tigers are gearing up for the 2025 college football season with a renewed sense of optimism, as head coach Hugh Freeze expresses confidence in his team’s potential for a breakout year.
Auburn Eyes Breakout Season Behind Jackson Arnold, Rising Roster, and Favorable Schedule
With weeks remaining until the kickoff of the 2025 college football season, the Auburn Tigers are preparing for a strong campaign, despite often being overshadowed by formidable Southeastern Conference rivals like Alabama and Georgia. In College Sports Network’s recent ranking poll, the Tigers jumped to number 38, a significant improvement from their previous ranking at 71.
This notable rise aligns with a recent ESPN interview featuring Coach Freeze and his Auburn staff, where Freeze emphasized the critical need for improved consistency on offense this season.
“We did a lot of the things that get you beat, and yet we still averaged 6.7 yards per play on offense,” Freeze remarked, reflecting on his team’s performance last season. “Only four other power-conference teams averaged more.” These comments echo statements he made to the media during SEC spring meetings last week.
The Tigers anticipate substantial offensive improvement, largely due to the arrival of former five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold, who transferred from Oklahoma via the transfer portal. Arnold experienced a challenging tenure with the Sooners, navigating three offensive coordinators in a single season.
“I know it didn’t go the way he wanted at Oklahoma, but you watch him spin it and the way he can extend plays, and he’s exactly what we were looking for,” Freeze stated. He also noted his intention to call the majority of offensive plays, with Darrell Nix contributing to the play-calling.
The CSN ranking also highlights the return of standout receiver Cam Coleman, who, alongside Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton Jr., promises a dynamic downfield attack. Freeze also conveyed his high hopes for the defense, which is bolstered by the retention of key sophomores on the defensive line. Another contributing factor to Auburn’s optimistic outlook is their 2025 schedule, which features home games against traditional rivals like Alabama (Iron Bowl) and Georgia, while notably avoiding a matchup with the highly touted Texas Longhorns.
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“I feel a lot better than I have about our talent, our size, athleticism, and depth,” Freeze shared. “I still believe we need one more [signing] class to get to where we need to be, but I don’t sense any panic.” The coming season will reveal the extent of Auburn’s progress as they aim to establish themselves as a significant contender in the SEC.
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