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Brian's Column: Auburn's new weapons need to make a statement on Saturday

Brian Hauch
5–6 minutes

The Auburn offense heads into the 2024 season after spending much of 2023 in a state of flux. While quarterback Payton Thorne showed flashes of competence, specifically in the late SEC season, his lack of explosive weapons and inexperience in the Hugh Freeze offense led the Tigers to one of the worst offensive outputs in the conference.

Still, Auburn was able to win six games behind a dynamic defense that was consistently ranked in the top 20 in ESPN’s Football Power Index. That defense lost some key pieces this offseason however, further creating a need to Payton Thorne, Hugh Freeze, Derrick Nix, and the Auburn offense to carry a bigger load in 2024.

If the Tigers are going to have a successful campaign, the offense needs not only improve, but improve drastically. That needs to start on Saturday against Alabama A&M, and it starts with the pass catching threats on the outside.

Only two wide receivers eclipsed the 300-yard mark a season ago on the Plains. Those players, jay fair and Ja'Varrius Johnson, both play college ball for different programs now. Only two incumbent wide receivers that made a decent impact, Caleb Burton II (226 yards, 2023) and Camden brown (110 yards, 2023) remain on the Auburn roster this season.

The Tigers do return tight end Rivaldo Fairweather and his team-leading 394 receiving yards from a season ago, but Payton Thorne needs to have faith in other weapons outside the numbers when Auburn kicks off its season in a tomorrow. Those weapons, which are all due to make their Auburn debut, have plenty of talent. On Saturday, they have to prove to Thorne, Hugh Freeze, and the Auburn family that they can make an impact.

Auburn’s top receiving trio is set to be Penn State transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis, and five-star recruit Cam Coleman. Each respective member of the trio has high expectations going into this season for different reasons. If they all live up to or exceed those expectations, Auburn’s offense could be one of the best in the conference.

Lambert-Smith comes to the Plains after an illustrious career in Happy Valley. His 123 career receptions and 1,721 receiving yards rank just outside the top 15 in Penn State history, and he likely would have entered the top 5 in both categories had he stayed in State College for his final year of eligibility. The 6-foot-1, 182-pound big-play threat decided to join Hugh Freeze on the Plains however, where he’ll likely slot in as the “Z receiver”. He and his 13.7 yards per reception give Auburn a proven, experienced, number one receiver that it hasn’t rostered since Seth Williams. If Auburn’s offense is going to reach its potential, the senior needs to be the first Tiger to surpass 800 yards since the aforementioned Williams in 2019.

Auburn’s projected starting slot receiver, Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis, brings much of the same pure speed and route running ability as Lambert-Smith. After hauling in a team-leading 70 receptions for 877 yards in 2023, Lewis has the potential to become a quicker and more explosive version of jay fair, who racked up 31 receptions for 324 yards in this scheme a season ago. While Lewis’s 40-yard speed of 4.45 isn’t as fast as Lambert-Smith’s blazing 4.30, he’s shown elite ability to make defenders miss around the line of scrimmage. When the Auburn offense is at its best, Lewis will be in motion, catching short passes that open up the opposing linebackers, allowing the Auburn run game to thrive.

While the two transfers offer incredible quickness and speed, freshman Cam Coleman has the potential to become a true, dominant, “WR1”, or X receiver, on the Plains. The 18-year-old’s 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame combined with a 4.40 40-time give him all the physical tools needed to dominate in the SEC. There will be growing pains, but if the Phenix City, AL native can put it all together in his freshman season, Auburn’s ceiling could be as high as the College Football Playoff.

On paper, this is far and away the best starting wide receiver core Auburn has had in some time. With freshman Perry “Uno” Thompson and Bryce Cain waiting in the wings as well, quarterback Payton Thorne has little excuse to not take a major step forward in his final season on the Plains. That step forward must begin in the season opener against Alabama A&M.

The Tigers are heavy favorites, and the receiving core needs to show why on Saturday. If they don’t, things could derail quickly for Auburn.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @TheRealBHauch

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si.com

5 Auburn Tigers Newcomers to Watch Not Named Cam Coleman

Daniel Locke

3–4 minutes

The Auburn Tigers are set to begin the 2024 campaign against Alabama A&M on Saturday.

The Tigers will be looking to build on the improvements they made last season in Hugh Freeze’s first season as the program’s head coach.

Freeze and company brough in an intriguing group of newcomers, both through the transfer portal and the 2024 recruiting class that was ranked No. 10 by 247Sports. 

Auburn completely overhauled its wide receiver and offensive line units and added depth to positions across the board. Freshman-phenom Cam Coleman has rightfully gotten most of the headlines since he signed with Auburn and poured gasoline on the hype fire with his A-Day performance. Fellow freshmen receivers Perry Thompson and Malcolm Simmons have also gotten plenty of ink the past-six months.

However, they won't be alone in making their Auburn debuts on Saturday, and here are five-other Auburn Tigers to watch on Saturday vs. Alabama A&M.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Senior, Transfer

Lambert-Smith, a wide receiver who spent four seasons with Penn State, is a top candidate to lead the Tigers in receiving this season. Lambert-Smith is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he caught 53 passes for 673 yards and four touchdowns.

He was Auburn’s third-highest-rated transfer addition, ranked the No. 13 wide receiver in the portal.

Percy Lewis, OL, Senior, Transfer

Lewis, a 6-foot-7, 355 pound offensive lineman, spent the previous two seasons with Mississippi State where he played in 25 games and made eight starts. Lewis is expected to rotate between left tackle and left guard.

Lewis was the No. 8 offensive tackle in the transfer portal. Auburn's offensive line struggled last season, and Lewis has been brought in as an immediate, short-term fix.

Malik Blocton, DL, Freshman

Blocton, a 6-foot-3, 291 pound defensive line is the first of three true freshmen on this list. Losing Marcus Harris, who is Blocton’s brother, to the NFL Draft leaves a hole in the interior of Auburn’s defensive line and Blocton’s massive frame puts him in a position to help fill it.

As a recruit, Blocton was a 4-star prospect by Rivals. At 6'3 and 290 pounds, he could make an early impact.

Demarcus Riddick, LB, Freshman

Linebacker is a question mark for the Tigers heading into the season but solid play from Riddick in addition to returners such as Eugene Asante and Austin Keys could place it among Auburn’s more complete positions this season.

Riddick, a 6-foot-2, 217 pound true freshman, was one of Auburn’s top defensive commitments in the 2024 recruting class. Riddick was the No. 5 linebacker in the nation according to 247Sports.

Towns McGough, K, Freshman

McGough, a true freshman, will have a lot on his plate right away as Alex McPherson is still not ready to go. McGough will be the guy for Auburn on kickoffs, PATs and field goal attempts.

McGough, an Auburn native, was the No. 3 kicker in the 2024 recruiting class according to Kohl’s Kicking.

Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT and the broadcast will be carried by ESPN+/SEC Network+.

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athlonsports.com

How To Watch Auburn Football Vs The Alabama A&M Bulldogs

Lance Dawe

~2 minutes

The Auburn Tigers are less than three days away from kicking off their 2024 college football season.

Head coach Hugh Freeze is expected to improve upon his 6-7 campaign in 2023 with the help of a fresh infusion of talent from the Tigers' top-10 recruiting class.

Here's how you can watch Auburn football's game vs the Alabama A&M Bulldogs:

How to watch the Auburn Tigers vs the Alabama A&M Bulldogs

Auburn vs Alabama A&M will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will be televised on SEC Network+ and ESPN+. Lowell Galindo and Fozzy Whittaker will call the game on the TV broadcast.

Andy Burcham, Jason Campbell, Ronnie Brown and Will Herring will provide play-by-play, analysis, over radio on Wings 94.3 FM and online at AuburnTigers.com.

Auburn vs Alabama A&M series history

The Tigers have only faced off against the Bulldogs twice in their series history. The first contest came back during the 2012 season, arguably Auburn's worst of the modern era. The Tigers still prevailed 51-7 to earn their third and final victory of the year.

The second and more recent game was in 2016, a 55-0 win for Auburn in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Alabama A&M amassed just 130 yards of total offense in the shutout, rushing for just 1.1 yards per carry. Auburn, on the other hand, finished with 598 yards of total offense, 451 of those yards coming on the ground. Kam Martin led the way with 176 yards and two scores. Kerryon Johnson also finished with over 100 yards rushing. Quarterbacks John Franklin III and Jeremy Johnson combined for three rushing touchdowns.

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waka.com

Auburn to get season started against Alabama A&M with new group of receivers - WAKA 8

WAKA Action 8 News

~3 minutes

FILE – Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne looks to throw a pass during the first half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game against Maryland, Dec. 30, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

The Auburn Tigers are set to open the second season under coach Hugh Freeze. The Tigers start off a five-game home stretch against Alabama A&M.

Quarterback Payton Thorne returns as the starter but has a whole new group of receivers attempting to revive a sputtering passing game. That group is led by Penn State transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis and freshman Cam Coleman.

Auburn is trying to snap a string of three straight losing seasons.

Auburn doesn’t have a lot to gain from a season-opening game against an FCS team beyond finetuning execution and breaking in some new players, especially at wide receiver. The Bulldogs bank a $525,000 payday and try to stay competitive against a Southeastern Conference opponent.

KEY MATCHUP

This is a chance for Auburn QB Payton Thorne and his new receivers to show off a likely improved passing game. The Tigers averaged just 162.2 passing yards per game last season, ranking 121st of 130 FBS teams. But the new group of receivers includes Penn State transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis and five-star recruit Cam Coleman.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alabama A&M: RB Donovan Eaglin is a preseason first-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference pick, who ran for 765 yards last season and scored seven touchdowns.

Auburn: Coleman was the Tigers’ most prized recruit, rated as the No. 3 overall prospect by the 247Sports composite rankings. The 6-foot-3, 197-pounder also starred in the spring game and seems to have the potential to be Auburn’s first star receiver in years.

FACTS & FIGURES

Auburn has won the previous two meetings 51-7 in 2012 and 55-0 in 2016. The Tigers outrushed the Bulldogs 457-27 in the latest meeting. … Freeze hasn’t faced the Bulldogs in his 14-year head coaching career. … Auburn opens the season with five straight home games for only the fifth time. … Led by RB Jarquez Hunter, the Tigers return 91% of their rushing yardage from 2023. Liberty and Georgia Tech are the only other FBS schools returning a running back who ran for 900-plus yards and a quarterback who reached 500 yards.

Kickoff is Saturday at 6:30PM CDT on ESPN+/SEC+.

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al.com

3 storylines to watch as Auburn football opens its season vs. Alabama A&M

Published: Aug. 31, 2024, 6:30 a.m.

7–8 minutes

Year 2 of the Hugh Freeze era at Auburn officially gets underway on Saturday night at 6:30 from Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium, where the Tigers are set to meet with the Alabama A&M Bulldogs.

While Freeze and the Tigers enter the 2024 season with far fewer questions than they did this time last fall, there are still plenty of unknowns.

Freeze said it himself: There’s still a ways to go before he and Auburn’s staff know exactly what they have in this year’s team.

“I think most of you think that those of us who have done this awhile know what to expect from our team and that’s so far from the truth — at least for me,” Freeze said Monday. “I think you really are two to three games in before you really are like, ‘All right, this is who we really are and what we can do.’”

That said, here are three storylines to watch as the Tigers kick off their season and get closer to finding out who they really are:

What will the left side of the offensive line look like?

While Freeze might’ve said it could take upwards of three games to really solidify the Tigers’ offensive line rotation, Auburn’s first game out will still be telling for the big guys up front.

As of late, most of the questions have centered around the left side of the offensive line, with the biggest question circling around the left tackle spot.

Heading into the fall, Mississippi State transfer Percy Lewis sounded as the likely No. 1 guy at left tackle. However, as camp continued to unfold, we saw Auburn’s coaches toy around with that side of the offensive line some more, which dusted off some more questions to be answered.

Redshirt freshman Tyler Johnson has taken big strides throughout the offseason and has put himself in position to nip at the heels of a starting role at left tackle.

“I can’t speak more about his growth over the last year,” offensive line coach Jake Thornton said of Johnson earlier this fall. “He just needed a year in the weight room to get it all figured out. And he’s got his weight up there. He’s strong at the point of contact, really good body quickness. We’re going to count on him at some point.”

Meanwhile, junior Dillon Wade was the Tigers’ starting left tackle last season and could get reps there again in 2024, despite Auburn’s staff thinking the former Tulsa transfer is better suited playing inside at guard.

Guys like redshirt freshman Bradyn Joiner and Akron transfer Ronan Chambers have also come up in conversation as Auburn’s staff continues to work to find the best rotation along the offensive front.

“I think it’ll be a few games in before we kind of settle into exactly what it looks like,” Freeze said on Monday. “The most likelihood is you’re going to see D Wade play a little of both and rotate around him at that tackle position and kind of see who plays the best.”

Will one of Auburn’s interior defensive linemen begin breakout?

While Auburn’s room of interior defensive linemen has been largely retooled thanks to the transfer portal and the Tigers’ 2024 signing class, Freeze said earlier this month that he and the defensive staff were still looking for “that guy.”

“Marcus Harris was pretty dominant (last year). Do we have that guy? I don’t know,” Freeze said.

In 2023, Harris recorded 40 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and seven sacks as a returning starter on the inside of Auburn’s defensive line. He then went on to be drafted by the Houston Texans in April.

And though it doesn’t sound as though Auburn has found a defensive lineman to fill that Marcus Harris-sized void in the interior of the defensive line, Freeze says the Tigers have “have six to seven bodies that fit the prototype of what you need in there.”

Through the transfer portal, the Tigers added Indiana transfer Philip Blidi, Texas transfer Trill Carter, Kansas transfer Gage Keys and Isaiah Raikes, who technically transferred in from USC but has only ever played real snaps at Texas A&M.

Meanwhile, Malik Blocton, the younger brother of Harris, was also added into the mix this offseason, joining returners in Jayson Jones and Quientrail Jamison-Travis.

Heading into the first game of the season, Auburn defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams says he won’t be using a “depth chart” to start the season as much as he’ll be using a “rep chart.”

“Ultimately, it’s going to be a rep chart,” King-Williams in the preseason. “If we get to the game and you’re a two but you’re out there and you’re hot, well guess what, your butt is staying in the game. And so that’s what it’s going to be about, all of the guys have been working their butts off.”

That said, it’ll be interesting to see which of those guys get hot, stay hot and start separating themselves as “that guy” along the inside of Auburn’s defensive line.

How will Auburn’s young receivers and defensive backs fare when the lights come on?

Auburn is green in two key areas this year: wide receiver and defensive back.

Sure, the Tigers have experience sprinkled in the mix, but for the most part, you’re looking at young, young guys who are about to get thrown into the fire a bit.

And for that reason, Freeze said early in the preseason that he expected Auburn’s young receivers and young defensive backs to be key factors in the story of the 2024 season.

“If you had asked me what the key to this season will be, I really think it will be: How well do our young DBs and young receivers play?,” Freeze said on the opening day of fall camp.

As camp progressed, we saw and heard about flashes of potential coming from just about every player that falls under that “young DB” or “young receiver” umbrella.

But we also heard about the growing pains.

On Aug. 16, Freeze was asked about Auburn’s young defensive backs and he described them as “inconsistent, but hopeful.”

Meanwhile, during Monday’s press conference, Freeze admitted the younger receivers committed a few too many missed assignments than what he was comfortable with.

Fortunately for Auburn, during Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference, Freeze said those young receivers had cleaned things up some during Tuesday’s practice.

“I expect them to be ready. That’s the expectation and I think they have to embrace that,” Freeze said of the young receivers heading into the season-opener.

When the lights flip on at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night, it’ll become really real for those younger players. And as Freeze pointed out in early August, it’ll be critical that the Tigers be able to rely on those greener defensive backs and receivers.

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al.com
 

9 years later, Auburn’s legendary War Eagle Supper Club re-opening

Published: Aug. 30, 2024, 1:41 p.m.
6–8 minutes

The closure of the War Eagle Supper Club in 2015 brought a wave of regret and nostalgia for Auburn University students who had been frequenting the notorious watering hole since the 1960s. One of those students, Vince Thompson (AU Class of 1984), had a different thought – someone needed to reopen the iconic club …and why not him?

Nine years later, Thompson’s dream is coming true – the War Eagle Supper Club is set to re-open in September. Of course, it won’t have the layers of rocker sweat and spilled beer of the old club because this one will be housed in a brand-newbuilding adjacent to campus. The original ramshackle building on South College Street, which was built in the 1940s, was demolished after it closed.

READ MORE: Readers share memories, photos from original War Eagle Supper Club

The original War Eagle Supper Club

The War Eagle Supper Club, a college bar in Auburn, Ala., closed in 2015 and was demolished the next year.AL.com File Photo

Thompson, CEO of MELT Atlanta, a sports and event marketing agency, hopes to bring back that Supper Club feeling by creating a replica of the Club’s Slush Bus and reviving its motto: “Cold Beer, Hot Rock, Expect No Mercy.” Thompson bought the trademark to the name in 2020.

The original War Eagle Supper Club

Inside the original War Eagle Supper Club in Auburn, Ala., before its closure in 2015. The motto is above the bar: "Cold Beer, Hot Rock, Expect No Mercy."AL.com File Photo

Thompson wrote on Instagram: “The WESC [War Eagle Supper Club], for decades, was a rite of passage for tens of thousands of Auburn alumni. This included cold beer, a secret recipe pizza, great music, plenty of heartache and our ‘Uber’ was an old school bus! I’m proud to say we will open this 200-seat bar in early September! The view from the outside rooftop bar overlooking Jordan-Hare Stadium will be the most beautiful view in Auburn.”

The new Supper Club is a roof-top bar atop the Graduate Hotel. According to aspokesperson for Hilton, the new Graduate by Hilton Hotel in Auburn and the club are set to open in early to mid-September 2024.

The Graduate by Hilton Hotel

This rendering shows the exterior of the completed Graduate by Hilton Hotel in Auburn, Ala. The rooftop bar is a new version of the iconic War Eagle Supper Club that closed in 2015.Courtesy of Hilton Hotels

The new club has risen in the place of another Auburn landmark, Anders Bookstore on Magnolia Avenue, which closed in 2022.

The Graduate Hotel in Auburn, Ala.

A bathroom in the Graduate by Hilton Hotel in Auburn, Ala. The custom wallpaper shows the War Eagle Supper Club "Slush Bus." A replica of the iconic bus, which safely delivered students home after drinking, was built to promote the new War Eagle Supper Club located in the Graduate Hotel.Steve Freihon | Hilton Hotels

History of the original Supper Club

The War Eagle Supper Club was so named because, throughout much of its history, it has been a private club – at least by letter of the law. This gave the club’s owners privileges owners of other college bars didn’t have. The Supper Club could stay open and serve alcohol past 2 a.m. – often until 5 a.m. – and serve alcohol on Sundays.

John Brandt, who bought his interest in the club from previous owner Hank Gilmer in1985, said the building dates to 1937. That’s the date Brandt uses to celebrate the anniversary of the Supper Club, which he sets at 78 years old. However, Gilmer said the original building on the property burned in the 1940s and the current building took its place.

In1961, H.H. Lambert purchased a private club license. At the time, the Alabama Beverage Control board allowed white business owners to circumvent the law by purchasing a private club license. The owner then issued memberships for a nominal fee. The Supper Club charged $1.

Gilmer purchased the club in 1977 along with his father, although Gilmer was managing partner. Within a few years, Gilmer began providing live entertainment to draw more students.

In the 1970s, before an onslaught of development, students would leave campus and drive several miles down the isolated portion of South College Street to arrive at the club. Because it stayed open so late, students chose it as the last stop of the night, often not getting in line outside the doors until after 11 p.m.

Gilmer said he was alerted to the fact that law officers would be watching for drunken drivers.

“There was nothing between the Supper Club and town so the officers knew nine out of10 people headed to town came from the Supper Club,” he said in the 2011 book “Hidden History of Auburn.”

Gilmer bought an old school bus to drive students home. Riding in the “slush bus” would become a rite of passage for thousands of Auburn students. In2007, the retired “slush bus” was attached to the back of the original building and made into a shot bar, one of the businesses’ four bars.

Thompson said the original bus could not be repaired so he created a replica. He plans to use the bus for promotional activities, according to Gulf Shore News.

War Eagle Supper Club shot bus

The original "Slush Bus" from the now-defunct War Eagle Supper Club in Auburn. It would not be repaired so the owner of the new club created a replica.(Facebook image)

A few famous names

The music scene at the original club was legendary. Actors Lou Diamond Phillips and River Phoenix performed with their bands. Popular groups Widespread Panic, Drivin’ and Cryin’ andthe Zach Brown Band played in their early days at the club, as did Taylor Hicks from “American Idol.”

Kenny Chesney once played a benefit concert there and David Allen Coe performed his famous song, “You Don’t Have to Call Me Darlin, Darlin’.”

Darius Rucker, former front man for Hootie and the Blowfish, played on campus and stopped by the Supper Club afterward. Larry Linville, Frank Burns from M.A.S.H., once took the stage to play tambourine along with Telluride.

Famous athletes such as Charles Barkley and Bo Jackson also have frequented the bar, but usually after their careers at Auburn had ended.

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1 minute ago, SaltyTiger said:

Good game day morning from the Plains Fiddy. Good stuff

have fun salty

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Just now, SaltyTiger said:

Thanks and will try. Heat yesterday afternoon was brutal. 

yes it was! holy moly! i am glad i finally got an air conditioner.............grins

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al.com

Auburn football names team captains for 2024 season

Updated: Aug. 30, 2024, 7:17 p.m.|Published: Aug. 30, 2024, 7:14 p.m.

~2 minutes

Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers have named their team captains for the 2024 season, the Auburn program announced Friday night.

The Tigers will have two returning captains in 2024 as veteran quarterback Payton Thorne and veteran tight end Luke Deal both got nods as team captains after having previously served as captains last fall.

In being named a captain again, Thorne has now been a team captain four times in his college career — twice at Michigan State and twice at Auburn.

Meanwhile, senior linebacker Eugene Asante and Texas transfer safety Jerrin Thompson will be new to representing Auburn during pregame coin tosses this season.

Asante, while not a designated captain in 2023, was certainly one of Auburn’s more vocal leaders last fall.

In the case of Thompson, Auburn players and coaches have raved about his vocal leadership on the defensive side of the football.

Auburn’s four captains for the 2024 season will take midfield for the first pregame coin toss of the season on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium, where the Tigers are hosting the Alabama A&M Bulldogs for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

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3 storylines to watch as Auburn football opens its season vs. Alabama A&M

Published: Aug. 31, 2024, 6:30 a.m.

7–8 minutes

Year 2 of the Hugh Freeze era at Auburn officially gets underway on Saturday night at 6:30 from Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium, where the Tigers are set to meet with the Alabama A&M Bulldogs.

While Freeze and the Tigers enter the 2024 season with far fewer questions than they did this time last fall, there are still plenty of unknowns.

Freeze said it himself: There’s still a ways to go before he and Auburn’s staff know exactly what they have in this year’s team.

“I think most of you think that those of us who have done this awhile know what to expect from our team and that’s so far from the truth — at least for me,” Freeze said Monday. “I think you really are two to three games in before you really are like, ‘All right, this is who we really are and what we can do.’”

That said, here are three storylines to watch as the Tigers kick off their season and get closer to finding out who they really are:

What will the left side of the offensive line look like?

While Freeze might’ve said it could take upwards of three games to really solidify the Tigers’ offensive line rotation, Auburn’s first game out will still be telling for the big guys up front.

As of late, most of the questions have centered around the left side of the offensive line, with the biggest question circling around the left tackle spot.

Heading into the fall, Mississippi State transfer Percy Lewis sounded as the likely No. 1 guy at left tackle. However, as camp continued to unfold, we saw Auburn’s coaches toy around with that side of the offensive line some more, which dusted off some more questions to be answered.

Redshirt freshman Tyler Johnson has taken big strides throughout the offseason and has put himself in position to nip at the heels of a starting role at left tackle.

“I can’t speak more about his growth over the last year,” offensive line coach Jake Thornton said of Johnson earlier this fall. “He just needed a year in the weight room to get it all figured out. And he’s got his weight up there. He’s strong at the point of contact, really good body quickness. We’re going to count on him at some point.”

Meanwhile, junior Dillon Wade was the Tigers’ starting left tackle last season and could get reps there again in 2024, despite Auburn’s staff thinking the former Tulsa transfer is better suited playing inside at guard.

Guys like redshirt freshman Bradyn Joiner and Akron transfer Ronan Chambers have also come up in conversation as Auburn’s staff continues to work to find the best rotation along the offensive front.

“I think it’ll be a few games in before we kind of settle into exactly what it looks like,” Freeze said on Monday. “The most likelihood is you’re going to see D Wade play a little of both and rotate around him at that tackle position and kind of see who plays the best.”

Will one of Auburn’s interior defensive linemen begin breakout?

While Auburn’s room of interior defensive linemen has been largely retooled thanks to the transfer portal and the Tigers’ 2024 signing class, Freeze said earlier this month that he and the defensive staff were still looking for “that guy.”

“Marcus Harris was pretty dominant (last year). Do we have that guy? I don’t know,” Freeze said.

In 2023, Harris recorded 40 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and seven sacks as a returning starter on the inside of Auburn’s defensive line. He then went on to be drafted by the Houston Texans in April.

And though it doesn’t sound as though Auburn has found a defensive lineman to fill that Marcus Harris-sized void in the interior of the defensive line, Freeze says the Tigers have “have six to seven bodies that fit the prototype of what you need in there.”

Through the transfer portal, the Tigers added Indiana transfer Philip Blidi, Texas transfer Trill Carter, Kansas transfer Gage Keys and Isaiah Raikes, who technically transferred in from USC but has only ever played real snaps at Texas A&M.

Meanwhile, Malik Blocton, the younger brother of Harris, was also added into the mix this offseason, joining returners in Jayson Jones and Quientrail Jamison-Travis.

Heading into the first game of the season, Auburn defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams says he won’t be using a “depth chart” to start the season as much as he’ll be using a “rep chart.”

“Ultimately, it’s going to be a rep chart,” King-Williams in the preseason. “If we get to the game and you’re a two but you’re out there and you’re hot, well guess what, your butt is staying in the game. And so that’s what it’s going to be about, all of the guys have been working their butts off.”

That said, it’ll be interesting to see which of those guys get hot, stay hot and start separating themselves as “that guy” along the inside of Auburn’s defensive line.

How will Auburn’s young receivers and defensive backs fare when the lights come on?

Auburn is green in two key areas this year: wide receiver and defensive back.

Sure, the Tigers have experience sprinkled in the mix, but for the most part, you’re looking at young, young guys who are about to get thrown into the fire a bit.

And for that reason, Freeze said early in the preseason that he expected Auburn’s young receivers and young defensive backs to be key factors in the story of the 2024 season.

“If you had asked me what the key to this season will be, I really think it will be: How well do our young DBs and young receivers play?,” Freeze said on the opening day of fall camp.

As camp progressed, we saw and heard about flashes of potential coming from just about every player that falls under that “young DB” or “young receiver” umbrella.

But we also heard about the growing pains.

On Aug. 16, Freeze was asked about Auburn’s young defensive backs and he described them as “inconsistent, but hopeful.”

Meanwhile, during Monday’s press conference, Freeze admitted the younger receivers committed a few too many missed assignments than what he was comfortable with.

Fortunately for Auburn, during Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference, Freeze said those young receivers had cleaned things up some during Tuesday’s practice.

“I expect them to be ready. That’s the expectation and I think they have to embrace that,” Freeze said of the young receivers heading into the season-opener.

When the lights flip on at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night, it’ll become really real for those younger players. And as Freeze pointed out in early August, it’ll be critical that the Tigers be able to rely on those greener defensive backs and receivers.

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