4/21/23 Football Articles

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247sports.com

 

College football transfer portal: Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss among teams poised to add talent in coming weeks

Carter Bahns

8–11 minutes

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The second NCAA football transfer portal window of 2023 is currently open. It runs for 15 days from April 15 to April 30. While the two-week period may not provide as much movement as January’s, it provides programs with one more chance to fill holes along their rosters before they embark on the upcoming season.

247Sports’ Chris Hummer and Carl Reed presented six programs to watch during this window on Transfer Portal All-Access. They tabbed Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Purdue and TCU as intriguing teams who are either in the market for new talent or who may see some of their existing players leave.

While a player entering their name in the transfer portal means they intend to explore their options, it does not necessarily mean they will leave. A player is free to withdraw his name at any time. All players who enter the transfer portal for the first time will be immediately eligible at their new school as long as they meet an NCAA-mandated entry deadline.

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Below are select quotes from Hummer and Reed on each of the six programs they will be watching during this month’s transfer portal window.

(Photo: Michael Chang, Getty)

While it will likely have to look outside of the SEC footprint, Auburn could be one of the more aggressive programs this month as it looks to bolster its roster ahead of Hugh Freeze’s debut season as head coach. Due to conference rules, SEC schools cannot accept transfers from within the league during the spring transfer portal window, so Freeze’s search, which has been highly active thus far, will shift its focus elsewhere. An additional quarterback is near the top of the Tigers’ wish list, but they could be in the market for upgrades at a number of additional positions.

“Hugh Freeze said the quiet part out loud earlier this spring; they need a quarterback,” said Hummer. “They’re looking to upgrade the position. Obviously Robby Ashford is still there, started part of 2022. If you’re Hugh Freeze and you’re in year one and you’re at a program that is not patient, you’d like more certainty than potentially what Robby Ashford brings you – even though I think Robby Ashford might be a pretty decent fit for what Hugh Freeze has done before.”

(Photo: Leslie White | UF Communications, USA TODAY Sports)

Florida already added a transfer quarterback to its roster this offseason, grabbing Graham Mertz from Wisconsin in December. However, the former Badger did not run away with the starting job in spring camp. He battled with returning backup Jack Miller III throughout the 15 practices, and neither performed particularly well in the spring game, leading to the belief that the Gators could look for additional help. The quarterback market is not as talent-rich in the second transfer portal window, though, so it is reasonable to wonder if the Gators could upgrade on its signal callers.

“How many quarterbacks are signing to come be a backup?” Reed asked. “Those quarterbacks that are leaving, they want to play, so they’re looking for situations where they’re going to play. If you don’t have a guaranteed starting spot for me at quarterback and I think you’re going to go with Mertz, then I don’t know if I can go there anyway.”

Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart (Photo: Justin Ford, Getty)

Unlike many of its SEC counterparts, Ole Miss may have more talent at the quarterback position than it can reasonably put on the field this fall. In most cases, that would lead at least one of the contenders for the starting job to leave and seek a clearer path to playing time elsewhere. However, due to transfer regulations, most of the Rebels’ quarterbacks would be forced to sit out a year upon departing. If everyone remains on campus, the competition will be fierce in the lead-up to the season opener.

“Unless something happens with a waiver, I don’t know if anybody can (leave),” said Hummer. “Walker Howard can’t leave. He just transferred in obviously, and he’s not going to leave. Jaxson Dart has already transferred as an undergraduate, so unless he graduates, he can’t leave. I think it would take a waiver for Spencer Sanders to leave, as well. Some of this stuff gets really complicated with rules, and I’ve frankly gotten different answers from different people when I’ve asked about Spencer Sanders’ situation particularly.”

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy (Photo: Chris Coduto, Getty)

Few programs were hit harder by the first transfer portal period than Oklahoma State, which saw a mass exodus of key players earlier this year. Starters along the offensive skill positions, including quarterback Spencer Sanders and running back Dominic Richardson, departed along with the Cowboys’ leading tackler, Mason Cobb. The give-and-take nature of the transfer portal allowed head coach Mike Gundy to replace that lost talent with a slew of newcomers, though, arguably bringing the Cowboys back toward a net neutral.

“Oklahoma State, overall, given the large quantity of losses they had, have done a pretty good job replenishing that roster,” Hummer said. “Honestly, talking to people around that program, the word has been pretty positive. I know Caleb Etienne entered the portal, and that came as a surprise to a lot of people there, but I think the program is feeling pretty good… You’d obviously like to add one or two more receivers after the amount they lost this offseason, but I don’t think the sky is falling in Stillwater right now.”

Hudson Card (Photo: Tim Warner, Getty)

It did not take long for first-year head coach Ryan Walters to land a big-time transfer in former Texas quarterback Hudson Card. The former four-star signal caller was one of the top names available in the first window, and while the Boilermakers already made a big splash with his addition, they might not be done yet. In the hopes of competing in the Big Ten right out of the gate in the Walters era, they should be on the lookout for talent with which to surround their prized newcomer.

“I think Purdue settled their quarterback situation with getting Hudson Card,” said Reed. “Purdue is definitely going to be in the market for offensive and defensive linemen, also potentially going to be in the market for a big time receiver or the best receiver available in the transfer portal. It might even be some junior college guys that qualify late that they could get active with. And even though you’ve got Hudson Card, everybody needs somebody to back somebody up because you’re one play away from having to play your number two quarterback.”

(Photo: Kevin Jairaj, Getty)

TCU is just three months removed from its run to the national championship game, but if it wants to repeat the success it found in its first year under Sonny Dykes, it might need to bolster its roster a bit. Luckily for the Horned Frogs, they already have a starting quarterback tabbed, but they still need depth there as one of the few programs that may actively seek to add a backup. TCU boosted its stock as a potential transfer destination and could leverage its College Football Playoff appearance in the transfer portal market this month.

“That’s a team that needs a backup quarterback,” said Hummer, “and needs somebody who is comfortable filling that role or potentially looking forward to the future and starting after Chandler Morris goes. I know TCU could use another defensive lineman, especially along the edges. They could use another wide receiver. They could maybe use another cornerback. This is a team that I think is in pretty good shape overall, but if you’re hoping to contend again, you have to kind of continue to plug those holes.”

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Thursday Auburn football, basketball, baseball and softball tidbits

Jason Caldwell

5–6 minutes

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Stepping up

Transferring from Oregon and earning the starting job at nose for the Auburn defense, big Jayson Jones made an impact in the middle for the Tigers, but the next step is to begin to make more plays. That was the challenge for coach Jeremy Garrett and the new staff this spring when they finally got Jones on the field. Last season he made just 28 total tackles with just a half of a tackle for a loss.

This spring that started to show up with Jones becoming more physical at the point of attack and showing the ability to disengage to get off blocks. If he can continue that progression, Jones would form a pretty strong duo at the position along with Kentucky transfer Justin Rogers.

Impressive visitor

One of the things that Hugh Freeze and his staff are serious about is upgrading the roster every opportunity they have. That means a serious focus on the 2024 class and especially continuing to get better on the lines of scrimmage. A player that has already visited Auburn and is planning to return in June for an official visit is 5-star defensive lineman Kamarion Franklin.

From Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, Franklin is a dominating player on the line of scrimmage and has a chance to grow into a monster defensive lineman by the time he’s done in college. With so many connections in Mississippi, especially with Freeze and Garrett where Franklin is concerned, this is another top prospect that Auburn is going to have a strong chance to land in the 2024 class.

On campus now

The Gulf South Conference Player of the Year last season at UAH when he averaged 15.9 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 51.8 percent from the floor and 29.6 percent from three while knocking down 76.6 percent at the free throw line, the former Thompson High standout is an intriguing player coming from the D2 ranks.

Checking in at 6-2 early in his high school days before growing to 6-5 as a senior, Johnson is now listed at 6-7, 215 at UAH. Because he was more of a guard when he got to college, he’s got some skills that would make him a threat as more of a stretch four in Auburn’s system. He’s also athletic enough that he could play the three in a pinch as well.

Virginia Tech and UAB are considered the teams to beat for Auburn as Johnson is currently taking his official visit to check out Bruce Pearl’s program.

Sophomore finding his groove

Since allowing two earned runs in his first three appearances this year in two total innings, sophomore RHP Parker Carlson has been one of the bright spots for the Auburn pitching staff in 2023. Going back to March 5, the Mobile native has pitched in 10 games for a total of 10 innings. He has allowed just two earned runs on nine hits with 11 strikeouts. Last season he made just five total appearances as a true freshman, but has continued to develop his game and is quickly becoming a key out of the bullpen for an Auburn team that has been looking for someone to step up.

Magnificent maddie

Maddie Penta was selected as one of 25 finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, the organization announced Wednesday. 

The Chesapeake City, Maryland, native opened the season with an incredible stretch of 61.1 consecutive innings before allowing her first earned run to score. That effort included 39.1 consecutive scoreless innings, the second longest scoreless inning streak in program history. 

She currently leads the SEC and ranks sixth in the country with 19 victories, including recording the 50th win of her collegiate career to become just the eighth Tiger in school history to reach the milestone. 

Ranking third in the country with 227 strikeouts, Penta became the first pitcher since Anna Thompson (2009, 2010) to record at least 200 strikeouts in back-to-back seasons. She has recorded eighth double-digit strikeout efforts this season, including tying the program record for strikeouts in an SEC contest with 17 versus Missouri on March 25. 

In her 25 starts this season, Penta has tossed 10 complete games, including five shutouts. Three of Penta’s five shutouts have come against SEC opponents. She has also combined for nine additional shutouts with her fellow Tiger pitchers. 

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Penta currently ranks in the top 10 in 11 different single-season pitching categories, including first in earned run average, fewest hits allowed, fewest runs allowed, and fewest earned runs allowed. She also ranks in the top 10 in 17 total career pitching categories, including third in career ERA, fourth in strikeouts, seventh in wins and ninth in shutouts.

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flywareagle.com

 

Auburn football transfer linebacker pledges to become Tiger recruiter

Mary Kate Hughes

2–3 minutes

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Auburn football Oct 2, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) is pushed out of bounds by Mississippi Rebels linebacker Austin Keys (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

 

The Auburn football team got a new coaching staff following the 2022 season, and one of the first things the Hugh Freeze staff did was get to work in the transfer portal. The Tigers brought in 12 transfers in key positions during the offseason, and now the portal has opened for the second time.

Until April 30, the Tigers will be looking to the portal to bring in more talent and more depth ahead of the 2023 season, especially in certain positions like the offensive line and quarterback. While the portal window has gotten off to a slow start due to its early opening, more players are expected to enter once spring games finish around the country.

Everyone knows how important the portal is going to be for Auburn football and Hugh Freeze during his first season on the Plains, even the players. Recent transfer Austin Keys, a linebacker who came to Auburn by way of Ole Miss, has pledge to show off his recruiting skills during this window:

Damari Alston, known recruiter of the 2022 class, chimed in immediately calling for Keys to “follow his lead.” The first player Keys went for was a former Ole Miss teammate, defensive lineman Tywone Malone. However, inter-conference transfers must sit a year before they can play if they enter in the spring portal window, so Malone may not be interested in calling Auburn home.

The next player is TCU WR Jordan Hudson. The true freshman receiver was the best in his class for TCU in 2022, hauling in 14 receptions for 174 yards and three touchdowns. Originally a 5-star recruit out of high school, the Garland, TX native could definitely be of interest for Auburn football, a team that has lacked major production from the WR corps for the past few seasons.

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flywareagle.com

 

Auburn football transfer portal: Tigers potentially in on Big 12 QB

Mary Kate Hughes

2–3 minutes

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Auburn football Nov 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Ben Bryant (6) passes the ball against the Temple Owls during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

 

We are five days into the spring transfer portal window, and one of the Auburn football team’s main goals for the spring window is to find a transfer quarterback to join the ranks. While the Tigers are returning starter Robby Ashford, TJ Finley, and redshirt-freshman Holden Geriner, things are still up in the air about the situation.

Ashford, though inexperienced, has major potential and is great on his feet, but can he improve his accuracy enough to be the starter that Hugh Freeze needs this fall? TJ Finley has had multiple changes to prove himself, and it seems as though he has failed each time, and he has also hinted that he will be entering the portal before it closes on April 30. Holden Geriner has shown flashes of greatness, but has never played meaningful snaps of college football and is young and even more inexperienced than Robby.

What Freeze and the coaching staff want out of the portal is a proven quarterback with experience, someone who can lead the Tigers out of the hole they have dug themselves into over the past two seasons. Could recent transfer portal entry Ben Bryant be the answer?

The former Cincinnati QB entered the portal earlier today as a grad transfer, began his college career with the Bearcats before transferring to Eastern Michigan for the 2021 season. He returned to Cincinnati in 2022, and started for the Bearcats last season.

At Eastern Michigan in 2021, Bryant threw for 3,121 yards and 14 touchdowns, and had two additional rushing touchdowns. At Cincinnati in 2022 he threw for 2,732 yards and 21 touchdowns. 247 Sports’ Clint Brewster posed an interesting question on Twitter about the transfer QB:

Though he may not fit into the exact mold of what Freeze wants in a quarterback, he has proven himself as capable of leading an offense successfully, and that seems to be the biggest priority for the Auburn football coaching staff at the moment.

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4-star Georgia LB commit Demarcus Riddick makes quick Thursday visit to Auburn

Cole Pinkston•about 7 hours

Article written by:Cole Pinkston

ColePinkston

(Photo: Jeffrey Lee, Auburn Live)

Auburn, on Thursday, was paid a visit by one of its top overall targets on the board. Demarcus Riddick, a 4-star Georgia linebacker commit from Clanton (Ala.) Chilton County, made his first trip back to Auburn since mid-March.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say he is the top defensive target in the class of 2024 for the Tigers.

Not only are Auburn and Georgia high on Riddick, so are the recruiting networks.

Riddick is the No. 39 overall player in the country, the No. 3 linebacker in the country, and the No. 5 player in the state of Alabama according to the On3 Industry Rankings which average all recruiting service rankings together.

Riddick had something come up and was unable to make it to Auburn’s A-Day game as he had planned to do, at least publicly, since his last visit to Auburn in March.

So, Riddick made it to campus Thursday to have a little more face time with Auburn coaches and to see more of campus he told Auburn Live.

Riddick has been unable to get a full feel of the campus, or get a whole lot of one-on-one time with coaches as he was part of a big group of visitors when at campus his last two times. Thursday was a better chance to do those things.

A chance to look harder at academic side

Riddick wanted to get a better look at the academics side of things at Auburn.

“It went good, all I did was visit the academic part of the school and stuff like that,” Riddick said.

As Riddick told Auburn Live in an in-person meeting back in February, engineering is a field he can see himself in one day. He has family that do the same and has always been interested. Auburn could provide that major.

“I’ve been thinking like mechanical engineering, engineering, or business,” Riddick said.

According to Riddick, his position coach Josh Aldridge and Tigers’ coach Hugh Freeze are the main communicators, and neither have let up with him.

“Both of them, Coach Freeze and Coach Aldridge,” Riddick said.

He spent time with Aldridge during his short Thursday trip.

“We talked about plays, just going over plays, their plays,” Riddick said. “That’s really about it.”

When asked where Auburn stands, Riddick said the Tigers were in his top group.

“Auburn is still in my top three I can say that,” Riddick said.

Riddick told Auburn Live in March that Freeze was going to be the head coach that recruiting him hardest. The message and the love have not changed.

This was the message according to Riddick in March: “It’s basically been to stay being humble and pretty much develop. He says he’s going to be the head coach that recruits me hardest,” Riddick said of Freeze.

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starts at seven o clock friday morning.............

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Auburn talk starts at 9:30. one statement is we better have a damn good punter. let me know if you like these guys.

Edited April 21, 2023 by aubiefifty

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a lot of TJ talk after the baseball stuff. i have never seen these guys before.

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Auburn football QB Holden Geriner details how he's 'grown tremendously' this spring

Richard Silva, Montgomery Advertiser

4–5 minutes

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AUBURN — At first it looked like Holden Geriner didn't have a shot in Auburn football's quarterback race.

Incumbent starter Robby Ashford and former LSU transfer TJ Finley were going back and forth with the first and second teams during the offense's pace drills at spring practice. Geriner was consistently with the third group, seemingly indicating he was at the bottom of coach Hugh Freeze's nonexistent depth chart.

But then Freeze praised the redshirt freshman in late March, saying that the Savannah, Georgia, native "really stood out" during practice. That same day, Geriner ran with the first-team offense. It was officially a race between three players.

LOOKING AHEAD: Predicting Auburn football's starters for 2023 after Hugh Freeze's first spring practice

BRIAN BATTIE: Father of Auburn football RB describes son's progress despite injury

TJ FINLEY: Where things stand with Auburn football QB following spring practice

"I feel like I've grown tremendously from a physical aspect as well as mental," Geriner said after A-Day on April 8. "I feel like I'm in a much better place mentally and just confidence-wise. ... I definitely feel really good and ready to play."

Geriner, despite getting some elevated reps during practice, was the third QB to trot onto the field at A-Day; Ashford was first, Finley second.

The weather hampered the game plan − Freeze explained postgame that the Tigers "were really wanting to throw the ball around" − and Geriner's three completions on five attempts paced the team. His best play of the game came in the scrimmage's final period, as he kept the ball on a read-option and hustled into the end zone on a two-point conversion to cut the defense's lead to three points.

"That's something that I've been trying to implement recently, just trying to be able to run a lot more," Geriner said. "I think I've improved that a lot, so that's something that I like to show."

In addition to his running ability, when asked what he has improved most from last year, Geriner pointed to his "confidence" and temperament of "just staying calm."

"I think that's something that he (Freeze) looks at in a quarterback, just being calm and confident," Geriner explained. "So, that's something that I really took to heart and just tried to improve on. And also being able to run. I know I can make all the throws, so just being able to improve my legs is something I've worked on a lot."

 

Auburn Tigers quarterback Holden Geriner (12) warms up during the A-Day spring football game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

 

Geriner's showing at A-Day wasn't without any hiccups. Freeze noted he made a couple nice throws, but missed a read or two on a couple of RPOs; he said Finley did, too: "But it's kind of been that way all spring, some really positives one day, and some inconsistencies the next day," Freeze described. "We've still got time to help them improve, hopefully."

Freeze has been anything but deceptive about how he has felt about his quarterbacks throughout spring practice. He called each of them out aplenty, but Geriner said he didn't mind the candidness from his coach because he'd "rather him tell me if I'm doing something wrong or if I'm doing something right."

The second transfer portal window is open, and although Freeze didn't fully subscribe to the idea of adding a QB, he didn't deny it, either. He's open to doing so, by his own admission, but doesn't want to back himself into a corner by committing to something.

Geriner, along with Ashford and Finley, will have to wait and see.

"I think it's gone really well," Geriner said of spring practice. "It's been super fun just being out there, just competing every day. I think I've definitely improved myself along with all these other quarterbacks and players. I think we've all got a lot better."

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

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247Sports predicts Auburn football's 2023 schedule

Lance Dawe

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Will the Tigers make a bowl game in Hugh Freeze's first season on the Plains?

Auburn football has higher expectations than just getting to bowl eligibility this season.

Hugh Freeze, who's only suffered one losing season during his time coaching at the Division I level, has been quick to try and manage Auburn fans' predictions for the team in 2023. But that doesn't mean the Tigers are going to shy away from competition in year one.

It also doesn't mean that a losing record or 6-6 is where the team expects to finish, either.

ESPN released their FPI for the 2023 season, with Auburn's projected record being 5-7. The last time Auburn had back-to-back-to-back losing seasons was 1975-1977, which included Coach Shug Jordan's final season and Doug Barfield's first two.

247Sports recently tried their hand at predicting every SEC team's record. Article author Brad Crawford has Auburn going 6-6 in Hugh Freeze's first year with the Tigers.

Here's what Crawford had to say about the schedule:

Vs UMass (W)

At California (W)

Vs Samford (W)

At Texas A&M (L)

Vs Georgia (L)

At LSU (L)

Vs Ole Miss (W)

Vs Mississippi State (W)

At Vanderbilt (L)

At Arkansas (L)

Vs New Mexico State (W)

Vs Alabama (L)

"The Skinny: A .500 finish is obviously not what Hugh Freeze has in mind for his first season at Auburn, but this roster simply isn't strong enough yet to fight for a spot near the top of the division standings. It'll come, though. There's a three-game stretch during the first half of the 2023 campaign that will be season-defining and they all come against who we consider to be top-15 teams."

Losses to Vanderbilt and Arkansas would be hard to swallow late in the year, but the potential to lose those games is certainly there.

The moment Auburn identifies a quarterback, the better fans will feel about the Tigers' odds to do better than 6-6 this season.

 

fiddy says as much talent as we need i do not think vandy beats us. and most coaches haves a hiccup game their first year but i really doubt it is vandy. i also believe we will have a winning record this year and go bowling. why you ask? i believe our running game will be a beast this year.

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4-star defensive line target Justin Greene sets official visit to Auburn

JD McCarthy

~2 minutes

Justin Greene, of Auburn’s top targets, has scheduled an official visit to the Plains. The four-star defensive lineman will be visiting on June 16-18 according to On3’s Cole Pinkston.

Greene has already taken three visits to Auburn, including checking out the annual A-Day game on April 8.

Buy Tigers Tickets

He is the No. 80 overall player and No. 11 defensive lineman in the 247Sports Composite ranking. The Lawrenceville native is also the No. 11 player from Georgia

His recruiting may be nearing an end as he tweeted out a graphic on Wednesday announcing his official visit to South Carolina on June 9-11. He captioned the tweet “Almost to the finish line with this whole thing.”

The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder has the ability to play anywhere along the defensive line and can even line up at the jack linebacker spot to rush the passer for defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett.

Greene is coming off a great junior season for Mountain View High School where he made 63 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, and blocked two passes.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15.

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Hugh Freeze contract released: How much will Auburn football coach make?

Richard Silva, Montgomery Advertiser

3–4 minutes

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Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze will make $6.5 million during his first year leading the Tigers, with that annual compensation rising by $250,000 every Feb. 1 due to a retention bonus starting in 2024, according to his contract obtained by the USA TODAY Network through an open records request.

If Freeze is fired without cause, his buyout is 75% of the remaining payments he would have accrued.

Freeze, who agreed to be Auburn's next football coach Nov. 28 on a deal set to run through Jan. 31, 2029, has numerous incentives in his contract. If he were to hit every qualifier, he could make an extra $3.3 million.

Those incentives include $150,000 per conference win beginning with the fifth conference victory every season, meaning he could earn an extra $600,000 each season for going undefeated in the current scheduling format that features eight matchups versus SEC foes.

LOOKING AHEAD: Predicting Auburn football's starters for 2023 after Hugh Freeze's first spring practice

UPGRADING: Pat Dye Field renovations to occur after 2023 football season

BRIAN BATTIE: Father of Auburn football RB describes son's progress despite injury

Freeze can also make $200,000 for an appearance in the SEC Championship Game and $400,000 for winning it, though those amounts are not cumulative. Similarly, he'll earn an extra $50,000 for reaching a non-SEC Group of 6 bowl game and $150,000 for winning it. If he were to lead the Tigers to a New Year's Six Bowl appearance, he'd get $200,000, but receive $250,000 for winning it.

The loftiest incentives include $750,000 for getting into a College Football Playoff semifinal game and $1 million for making an appearance in the national championship. He'd receive $2 million for winning a national title.

Freeze can also earn $75,000 if he's named the SEC Coach of the Year and an additional $75,000 if he is tabbed as the Bryant, Camp, AP, AFCA, ESPN, Eddie Robinson, Bobby Dodd, Sporting News or Maxwell Coach of the Year.

Pending Jim Harbaugh's new deal at Michigan, Freeze's contract will be either the second- or third-most incentive-laden deal for an FBS public-school football coach. Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham has a maximum bonus of just under $5.3 million.

Freeze can also earn extra compensation if his team earns an Academic Progress Rate of .930-.949 ($25,000), .950-.974 ($50,000) or .975-.999 ($100,000). If the Tigers received an APR of 1.000, he'd get an additional $150,000. These incentives, like the aforementioned ones for on-field success, are not cumulative.

USA TODAY Sports Project Reporter Steve Berkowitz contributed to this report.

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze contract released: What is his pay?