Where to start with this Auburn offense? The Tigers averaged 22.3 points per game in SEC play in 2022, ranking 4th worst in the conference. The Tigers were also fourth from last in pressure rate allowed. So not only were the Tigers playing a freshman quarterback, but they were also struggling to protect the kid as well. Robby Ashford returns after a less-than-stellar campaign where he threw for just 1,613 yards in 12 games, but the job isn’t his. He’ll compete with Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne in fall camp. The Tigers return their top 2 receivers from 2022, but neither had over 500 yards last season. They did also pick up Ohio State transfer Caleb Burton and Jackson State transfer Shane Hooks, so this group should be improved in 2023. Auburn will be tasked with replacing 3rd-round draft pick Tank Bigsby at running back. Jarquez Hunter (668 yards on 104 carries, 7 TDs) impressed in the spring and many are calling for him to have a breakout year as a junior. The biggest question is whether or not the offensive line will be improved next year. The Tigers had 7 players with over 300 snaps in 2022, and only 1 of them is back this year. Obviously, Hugh Freeze was busy in the transfer portal. Avery Jones comes in from East Carolina, Dylan Senda from Northwestern, Dillon Wade and Jaden Muskrat come in from Tulsa, and Gunner Britton joins from Western Kentucky. Looking at that list and seeing just 1 power five player should be a great cause for concern for Auburn fans. It’s hard to get a read on this offense, especially with a new coaching staff coming in. I think they’ll be better in 2023, but I don’t think we’re looking at drastic improvement.

The situation on defense isn’t much better. Auburn allowed 33 points per game in SEC play last year, ranking second to last in the conference (Vanderbilt). The Tigers created pressure on just 19.3% of their defensive snaps last year (also 2nd from last). Drastic improvement is needed if this team is going to win more in Hugh Freeze’s first year. Auburn had 6 edge/interior players with over 250 snaps last year and just 2 return. Derrick Hall (2nd round) and Colby Wooden (4th round) both departed for the NFL, so it’s easy to see why Freeze was so active in the portal on defense. The Tigers added 2 edge defenders, and 3 other defensive linemen to the roster through the portal, including Kentucky standout Justin Rogers. Also gone is top linebacker Owen Pappoe, but the Tigers return their next 2 guys by snap count. Once again, the Tigers were very busy in the portal at linebacker, adding 4 guys including DeMario Talan from LSU. The secondary should be a strength for this team. At safety, Auburn played 4 different guys for more than 375 snaps and they’re all back in 2023. Donovan Kaufman was probably the best of the bunch, totaling 38 tackles in just 7 games. Corner is another spot where Auburn returns everyone who was important last year. The Tigers had 3 guys play over 600 snaps, including D.J. James who is one of the best in the SEC. If Auburn is going to take a step forward on either side of the ball this year I think the defense is the most likely. Freeze did a good job in the portal addressing defensive issues, and they can scheme some things up to make the team more competitive. I expect the Auburn defense to be better in 2023.

Auburn’s 4-year recruiting ranking comes in at 15, and the 2023 class finished ranked 17th. However, it’s worth noting that their average rank within the SEC over the last 4 years is 7th overall. While the Tigers are competitive when you compare them to other conferences, they’re incredibly average in the SEC when it comes to bringing in talent. I think Hugh Freeze will change that long-term, but it’s going to take some time. The top recruit of the 2023 class is 4-star defensive lineman Keldric Faulk. Given the losses up front, there’s a good chance he finds the field in 2023.

Auburn is a program that runs into the issue of comparing itself to Alabama far too often. Yes, the Tigers have a passionate (maybe even the best in the SEC) fan base, and they’ve got some history of success. But Auburn has not recruited at a championship level in quite some time. If Auburn is to achieve the levels of success that their fans think they’re capable of they need to make sure Freeze is given plenty of time to genuinely build a program. It’s going to take a few years, but Freeze has a proven track record of success. He was a fun coach at Ole Miss, and he brought more talent to Oxford than anyone had in quite some time. At Auburn, he’ll have more resources, but that will also come with much higher expectations. I don’t think year 1 will be great, but given time Freeze will have the Tigers competitive again.