Hugh Freeze Drops Startling Comment on State of Auburn Football Program

Hugh Freeze Drops Startling Comment on State of Auburn Football Program originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Already on the hot seat, the Tigers' head coach pulled no punches in delivering one concerning criticism of his team entering the 2025 season.

Is there any college football coach who needs a bounce-back season more than Hugh Freeze? The current 16-team version of the SEC is the most dangerous one yet, and the Auburn Tigers head coach finds himself coming off two losing campaigns as preseason camp kicks off on the Plains.

Fortunately, Freeze's tone was decidedly auspicious as his team returned to the practice field Wednesday. There's much to like with Auburn football here and now, after all. Pick your poison: Oklahoma transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold. A consensus top-10 recruiting class overflowing with defensive talent. An impressive wide receiver room led by stud Georgia Tech transfer Eric Singleton.

However, one specific comment stood out as the head coach took the podium before a buzzing cadre of reporters -- and it wasn't about Arnold nor embattled wideout Malcolm Simmons.

Freeze said, as noted by AL.com reporter Michael Casagrande:

“We have too many men who do more scrolling than sleeping.”

Oof. I mean, that's a big, BIG oof.

That's not exactly the vibe you want up and down your roster when you're staring down the barrel of a season-opening road trip to Baylor in just four weeks' time.

But of course, if we're being fair, the news was far from uniformly grim at Wednesday's press conference. Other highlights from Freeze's media availability include:

• Freeze is "more excited about this fall camp than I can remember in a long time."
• The difference between Auburn falling short the last two seasons versus winning in 2025 is "doing the little things better."
• The confidence of Jackson Arnold is the top priority.
• Also important? "You need length and girth in this league," the coach said of the physically imposing SEC.
• Heralded defensive line signings Jourdin Crawford and Malik Autry will have chances to play early, as well as three other class of 2025-ers: linebacker Elijah Melendez and safeties AnQuon Fegans and Eric Winters.
• Wide receiver Malcolm Simmons has been cleared to return to team activities. He was arrested on July 16 on a domestic assault charge.
• Players currently limited in practice due to previous injuries include defensive back Champ Anthony, running backs Jeremiah Cobb and Durell Robinson, and tight end Hollis Davidson.

Related: EA Sports College Football 26 Ratings: Auburn Tigers

Auburn Tigers Football Schedule 2025

Aug. 29 @ Baylor Bears

Sept. 6 vs. Ball State Cardinals

Sept. 13 vs. South Alabama Jaguars (Homecoming)

Sept. 20 @ Oklahoma Sooners

Sept. 27 @ Texas A&M Aggies

Oct. 11 vs. Georgia Bulldogs

Oct. 18 vs. Missouri Tigers

Oct. 25 @ Arkansas Razorbacks

Nov. 1 vs. Kentucky Wildcats

Nov. 8 @ Vanderbilt Commodores

Nov. 22 vs. Mercer Bears

Nov. 29 vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.