Over the past few years, Auburn found itself slipping behind due to key missteps—starting with the firing of Gus Malzahn in 2020 and the failed Brian Harsin experiment that followed. Recruiting took a hit, particularly in addressing needs along the offensive line, especially at tackle. That deficiency lingered and set Auburn’s offense back compared to its SEC peers.
When I look across the league, programs like Texas A&M have consistently brought in elite recruiting classes even under Jimbo Fisher, even if they underperformed on the field. LSU has always had a solid recruiting foundation. And schools like Ole Miss and Florida—both trying to reclaim national relevance—are in that same middle tier of the SEC. Lane Kiffin leans heavily on the transfer portal, while Billy Napier at Florida, despite some struggles, has been pulling in solid classes.
Now, in just a short time, Hugh Freeze has elevated Auburn right back into that mix. With what he’s accomplished on the trail, Auburn is no longer lagging. Instead, Auburn is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with those mid-tier SEC programs, aiming for the top-tier group that includes Alabama and Georgia.
According to 247Sports, the 2025 recruiting rankings reflect that push. Auburn finished 8th nationally with 26 commits, just ahead of Texas A&M at 9th and LSU at 10th. Florida is at 7, and Alabama, Georgia, and Texas dominated the top three spots. The SEC boasts seven of the top 10 recruiting classes in the nation—an insane concentration of talent.
And yet, despite being 8th in the country, Auburn ranks just fifth in the conference. That’s the reality in today’s SEC, but it’s also a signal of just how far Auburn’s talent level has come. The key now is turning that talent into wins.
That’s why 2025 is pivotal. Mizzou, Ole Miss, Tennessee—schools ranked just behind Auburn—are getting better on the field. Auburn must now show that with better talent comes better results. With Mizzou losing Brady Cook and Luther Burden, and Ole Miss replacing Jaxon Dart, this is the year for Auburn to surge ahead.
Vegas set Auburn’s ’25 win total at 7.5. That’s a fair line. Fall short, and questions will come fast. Go over, and you’ve proven forward momentum. Auburn dodges LSU and Ole Miss on this year’s schedule, which helps. But you still have to beat the teams you’re supposed to—and show real competitiveness against the ones above you.
The money is there. The support is there. NIL isn’t a concern for schools like Auburn, LSU, or A&M. The question is no longer about resources—it’s about results.
Hugh Freeze and his staff have to identify and develop talent, not just chase stars. Players like Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, and Eric Singleton aren’t just highlight names—they need to become stars. Auburn needs more first-round picks, more All-SEC performers. Recruiting phone calls from NFL stars like D.K. Metcalf helped get those guys here—but now it’s about getting them to that next level as Auburn players.
Auburn’s got Texas A&M on the road, Oklahoma early in the SEC slate, Georgia at home, Arkansas on the road. Kentucky, Vandy—teams Auburn should beat. And then there’s Alabama, of course, with Kalen DeBoer trying to keep the Tide rolling post-Saban.
But it’s not just about beating your peers. It’s about rising above them. Auburn has the roster now to prove it’s ahead of Arkansas, Vandy, Kentucky, and arguably Ole Miss. The time for excuses is over. The development curve must meet the recruiting curve.
If Auburn wants to truly reestablish itself, it’s not enough to be in the conversation with LSU and A&M. You’ve got to surpass the Ole Misses of the world. No more being outperformed by programs with less support, less tradition, and less upside.
Hugh Freeze has the roster. Now it’s time to deliver results. Auburn can’t afford to stand still—not in this SEC. Everyone else is moving forward. Auburn has to do the same.
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