Florida Legend Jumps to Hugh Freeze’s Defense Amid Off-Season Criticism

Florida Legend Jumps to Hugh Freeze’s Defense Amid Off-Season Criticism originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Former Florida standout Chris Doering has stepped up to defend Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze, amid growing criticism of Auburn’s recruiting struggles for the 2026 class. Doering, now an SEC Network analyst, addressed the backlash directly during his recent appearance on the "McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning" show.

“I think Coach Freeze has been getting unnecessary criticism in the off-season,” Doering said candidly. “Everybody's worried about the 2026 signing class. I mean, we're in July right now. It doesn't matter until the 11th or 12th hour when they sign the paper.”

Freeze, hired by Auburn to rejuvenate the football program, has faced intense scrutiny from fans and boosters as the Tigers lag behind rivals in securing commitments from high-caliber recruits for 2026. Critics argue Freeze hasn’t delivered quickly enough, prompting questions about Auburn’s future competitiveness in the loaded SEC.

But Doering believes patience is necessary, especially given the volatile nature of recruiting.

“I think he needs to be criticized for not going out and doing something in the portal last year and riding Payton Thorne,” Doering admitted. 

However, he highlighted Auburn’s promising move to secure quarterback Jackson Arnold via the transfer portal, expressing optimism for the new talent. 

“They made a good move with Jackson Arnold, and I'm excited to see what he can do in this offense.” Doering said.

As Auburn prepares for the upcoming season, Freeze’s Tigers will be under significant pressure to outperform expectations. With key roster additions like Arnold, fans and analysts alike anticipate improvement on the field, despite off-season grumblings.

Doering’s support underscores that Auburn’s ultimate measure will be their performance when games matter, not their recruiting ranking in July. The Tigers have the opportunity to silence critics starting this fall, as Freeze aims to reshape the narrative around Auburn football.

Related: Lane Kiffin Breaks Silence on His Repeated Digs at Auburn’s Hugh Freeze

Related: Alabama Legend Rips Hugh Freeze to Shreds Amid Auburn’s Recruiting Struggles

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.