2/17/23 Auburn Article

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Hugh Freeze on playing Georgia and Alabama: 'The expectation is we're walking out there to win it'

Lance Dawe

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In time, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze hopes the Tigers are competing on the same level as their archrivals.

The Auburn Tigers have work to do if they want to get back into contention in the SEC.

With a new coaching staff, a fresh perspective on the recruiting trail, and an exciting transfer portal class to work with, fans and media alike are both curious and optimistic about what role the Tigers could play in the league this season.

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze recently joined The War Rapport to discuss his transition to the Plains and how recruiting has been a point of emphasis for the staff.

Mike Gittens of TWR asked Freeze about what his approach is going to be facing off against Georgia and Alabama - Auburn's two archrivals and faces of not just the SEC, but of college football.

Freeze acknowledged the two programs' degree of success and the stretch between them and the rest of the league.

"There's basically been two gold standards in this league, and it's Alabama and Georgia," Freeze said. "The rest of us are at different levels, I would say probably LSU and Tennessee closed the gap some this year [...] the rest of us are trying to play catch up."

It's a proverbial grand canyon between the Bulldogs and Tide compared to everyone else, but Freeze came to Auburn to elevate the standards of their program and to one day compete evenly with them on the field.

It's not something to shy away from. It's an opportunity.

"We will never back down from saying we want an opportunity at the gold standard, and fortunately - or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it - we've got a shot at both of them every year," Freeze said. "What a great opportunity that is. We have an opportunity to judge ourselves against what has been the gold standard of college football for a long time in Alabama's case, and more recently in Georgia's case."

These aren't just matchups against the best in the SEC. Auburn's games with Alabama and Georgia every season have deeper meaning than words can convey. All three of these teams could be winless otherwise, but if the Iron Bowl or the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry is happening in Jordan-Hare, fans don't care about anything else.

All they want is to beat Bama and Georgia.

"...Those games are different," Freeze said. "And they should feel a little different, and that's okay. Obviously on the win-loss record they all count the same, but it doesn't in the people's eyes that live here. [...] I know how much that means to our people, and our fanbase, and we're excited to play in that game."

The standard doesn't stop at excitement or accepting a challenge. There's expectations that come with raising the standard up, and Coach Freeze knows that over time, those expectations begin to rise.

"Hopefully in time, I don't know how fast, but hopefully in time the expectation is that we're walking out there to win it."

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Does Auburn have a star wide receiver in the program?

Published: Feb. 16, 2023, 3:54 p.m.

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Auburn wide receiver Koy Moore catches a pass against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)AP

By

• Nubyjas Wilborn | nwilborn@al.com

We’re taking a look at each position group as Auburn prepares to open spring practice on Feb. 27. The third of an 11-part series looks at the wide receivers.

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze, offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery, and wide receiver coach Marcus Davis hope the Tigers’ next great receiver is ready to emerge this season.

Davis knows the value of being a talented pass catcher on the Plains. He played from 2013-16 and was part of teams that won Southeastern Conference titles and an appearance in the National Championship Game. The run game will always be a priority at Auburn. However, complimentary football requires receivers that can open up running lanes by requiring double teams.

Koy Moore, Tar’Varish Dawson, Landen King, Omari Kelly, Malcolm Johnson Jr, Jay Fair, Ja’Varrius Johnson, and Camden Brown are returning from last season. Each player caught at least one pass and is seeking more targets.

Projected Depth Chart:

Starters: Camden Brown, sophomore, Koy Moore, junior. Ja’Varrius Johnson redshirt senior. Nick Mardner, redshirt senior

Second string: Landen King, redshirt sophomore; Malcolm Johnson Jr., senior. Tar’Varish Dawson Jr., redshirt sophomore

Third String: Daquayvious Sorey, true freshman. Omari Kelly, sophomore, Jay Fair sophomore.

Departed: Shedrick Jackson, graduation. Dazalin Worsham transfer portal

Outlook: Nick Mardner put up big-time numbers as a receiver playing at Hawaii with new Tigers receivers coach Marcus Davis as his position coach. He posted 913 yards, 46 catches, and five touchdowns during the 2021 season working with Davis. If Mardner and Davis can recapture that magic, that would go a long way toward Auburn getting back to winning.

Auburn has several talented receivers. Koy Moore is a speedy and intelligent route runner. He posted 314 yards on 20 catches for the Tigers last season. Look to seeing him get more catches this fall.

Landen King has unique physical skills, and if he can stay healthy, he could be a legit contributor. Malcolm Johnson, Dawson, and Ja’Varrius Johnson are stalwarts of the program and will guide younger receivers. Also, Ja’Varrius has 45 receptions for 767 yards and five touchdowns over the last two seasons.

Auburn needs one of two of these receivers to elevate as deep threats for whoever wins the quarterback competition this spring.

Also, don’t be surprised if the Tigers look toward the transfer portal once spring football ends.

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si.com

 

Auburn 2025 RB target is a special talent

Zac Blackerby

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Alvin Henderson is a special player.

Alvin Henderson is a special running back.

The 2025 Elba running back is a high-priority target for Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers. He's been recruited by a ton of top programs throughout college football.

"This is going to be a classic battle," recruiting expert John Garcia said on Locked On Auburn. "When you think of the best running backs to come through the state of Alabama, you know this is an Iron Bowl battle but this one will stretch. Stretch to Clemson, Georgia, Florida State is going to get involved here."

Henderson's sophomore numbers at Elba are insane. According to 247's page, he rushed for 2,636 yards and 47 touchdowns in 2022. In 2021, he ran for 1,115 yards and 24 scores as a freshman. He's listed at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds.

"This is darn near a grown man running the football in 2025," Garcia said on Henderson. "It's crazy what he's put on tape as a sophomore. Over 2,500 yards, big, downhill physical, and that Elba offense is old school. It is very much a throwback to where everyone in the building knows that Henderson is getting the rock and it still doesn't matter."

Henderson took an unofficial visit to Auburn on January 21st. 

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New Auburn athletic director John Cohen ponders renovation plans for school facilities

River Wells

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There could be some changes coming to the Plains in the near future.

Tigers athletic director John Cohen could be planning some new renovations to multiple facets of the school’s athletic stadiums and buildings, according to the Montgomery Advertiser’s Richard Silva. Cohen became the school’s new athletic director on Halloween last year.

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Here is a little of what Cohen had to say about the school’s Jordan-Hare Stadium:

“I think even the most casual fan looks into our north end zone and sees that we have room for improvement there, and I think we’re gonna get there… It’s going to take a little time, but I think we can create some improvement in the north end zone.”

That wasn’t the only thing Cohen mentioned, however. He also turned to sports that play indoors like basketball and gymnastics, and mentioned that such sports have what he called “practice space challenges”. He also told the advertiser that sports like baseball and softball will be looked at as well.

Jordan-Hare Stadium was first opened in 1939 and has been renovated twice in 2004 and 2017. The school has had plans to renovate the north endzone of the stadium for some time now, but those plans were delayed in 2015 and then subsequently put on hold indefinitely.