We are set to speak with Hugh Freeze as Auburn opened spring practice on Tuesday. The Tigers return to the practice field again today before leaving for spring break.
Follow along and refresh for all updates.
*** Starts by thanking us for covering the team and the sport
*** Excited to kick off the 2024 campaign. Get a breath after recruiting and now getting into it. Will put on the pads once the Tigers return from spring break.
***.A lot of positives in the building since January. A lot of those are coming from the player-led meetings. The culture council has set the standard for what they expect it to be.
*** Really pleased with the leadership and everyone buying in. The practice on Tuesday had great energy.
*** Biggest difference from a program standpoint since last spring? "Accountability. Attention to the little things. We were way too casual about our approach to things to me. That's an indication on the staff, players, all of us. I think the players sensed it. I think the coaches sensed it ... If it's not addressed, it tends to be repeated."
*** "The older I get the more I need players to help me see, "That's not acceptable." Players are helping set the standard. They came up with the presentation and HF approved it.
*** On open QB competition: "That's the hardest thing is when you have four guys you want to get a good look at it is getting them reps."
*** Mentions Walker made some throws the other day that were great, but that he is swimming with everything coming at him.
*** Tuesday and Saturdays will be pad days. On Thursdays, they are just going to teach. That will be the approach this spring.
*** "Do I think it is Payton Thorne's to lose? Yes. But he has to go earn it every day."
*** Mentions the offense is moving back to the system and verbiage that HF is familiar and comfortable with
*** "Last year was frustrating in the fact that I don't think I was able to reach a group of kids to be consistent in every same game, in every single practice. I have to look at that and go study why I didn't reach that group. We should have won a few more games. You have to look at those things and evaluate yourself, your staff and obviously your roster."
*** "We obviously support Zac and Cadillac in their decisions. I'm so comfortable with Derrick Nix, Kent Austin and Maurice Harris is back in the building."
*** "Defensively, hated to lose Jeremy Garett ... but I totally understand. I was very excited to give Vontrell the opportunity. So excited about the energy he brings. He's the one that the kids wanted."
""" "When we interviewed Durkin, it was the first defensive guy that I felt coached defense like I coach offense. Our kids can play fast. He is so detail. He demands energy and effort."
*** On Will Redmond: "Always had great aspiration for him. I think we got a lot stronger."
*** On Charles Kelly: "I feel like he's been around forever. You spend a week with him and you're like, 'That's my brother.' And he's returning to a place he loves."
*** AL.com Joe Goodman asks what it is like to have a SEC without Nick Saban. Let's move on....
*** HF mentions he has known Deboer for a long time. "He has some big shoes to fill."
*** Mentions not having Saban at SEC meeting means there isn't the guy who will yell and scream when they don't agree with something. Says Kirby Smart could be that guy. "That comes more naturally to him."
*** "Glad we got all three of those." - on Percy Lewis, Cam Coleman, Jerran Thompson
*** Says Percy Lewis loves to ride motorcycles. "How he got on a motorcycle I don't know."
*** Cam Coleman: "Makes us look difference. Can't tell you how excited I am about him. Don't want to put too many expectations on him because he's freshman... I expect him to play as a freshman."
*** On Thompson: "Love his energy. Love his knowledge of the game. He knows all three spots back there. He's vocal. He's played at a high level at a good program."
*** On what he wants to see from Dline during spring: "The biggest question mark we have is in the interior losing Marcus and Justin and Lawrence. Excited to get the transfers in here and excited about the freshmen class."
*** Keldric Faulk has been amazing as sophomore, taking a leadership role along the front.
*** What he wants the offense to look like? "The success everywhere I've been is the RPO run game and the passes that you get off that. To have that you have to have 3 receivers who can win one-on-ones."
*** "I think we will be able to go as fast as anyone in the country. Is that smart? I don't know."
*** Differences on defense under Durkin: "I think we will be more consistent in our effort and not giving as many explosive plays. We gave up too many in critical moments."
*** Three most characteristics of a HF QB: "Take care of the ball, accuracy and decision making."
*** Asked about Lane: "I love him. I love his family." Mentions he isn't reading much social media these days.
*** Who were the guys that stepped up accountability wise? Damari Alston, Jarquez Hunter, Payton Thorne, Luke Deal, Connor Lew, Dillon Wade, Jay Fair, Jalen McLeod, Keldric Faulk, Eugene Asante, Keionte Scott and Champ Anthony
*** He mentions that he isn't getting as many names on the dreaded lists (problems, etc...) this year compared to last year.
That's it for Freeze.
Follow along and refresh for all updates.
*** Starts by thanking us for covering the team and the sport
*** Excited to kick off the 2024 campaign. Get a breath after recruiting and now getting into it. Will put on the pads once the Tigers return from spring break.
***.A lot of positives in the building since January. A lot of those are coming from the player-led meetings. The culture council has set the standard for what they expect it to be.
*** Really pleased with the leadership and everyone buying in. The practice on Tuesday had great energy.
*** Biggest difference from a program standpoint since last spring? "Accountability. Attention to the little things. We were way too casual about our approach to things to me. That's an indication on the staff, players, all of us. I think the players sensed it. I think the coaches sensed it ... If it's not addressed, it tends to be repeated."
*** "The older I get the more I need players to help me see, "That's not acceptable." Players are helping set the standard. They came up with the presentation and HF approved it.
*** On open QB competition: "That's the hardest thing is when you have four guys you want to get a good look at it is getting them reps."
*** Mentions Walker made some throws the other day that were great, but that he is swimming with everything coming at him.
*** Tuesday and Saturdays will be pad days. On Thursdays, they are just going to teach. That will be the approach this spring.
*** "Do I think it is Payton Thorne's to lose? Yes. But he has to go earn it every day."
*** Mentions the offense is moving back to the system and verbiage that HF is familiar and comfortable with
*** "Last year was frustrating in the fact that I don't think I was able to reach a group of kids to be consistent in every same game, in every single practice. I have to look at that and go study why I didn't reach that group. We should have won a few more games. You have to look at those things and evaluate yourself, your staff and obviously your roster."
*** "We obviously support Zac and Cadillac in their decisions. I'm so comfortable with Derrick Nix, Kent Austin and Maurice Harris is back in the building."
*** "Defensively, hated to lose Jeremy Garett ... but I totally understand. I was very excited to give Vontrell the opportunity. So excited about the energy he brings. He's the one that the kids wanted."
""" "When we interviewed Durkin, it was the first defensive guy that I felt coached defense like I coach offense. Our kids can play fast. He is so detail. He demands energy and effort."
*** On Will Redmond: "Always had great aspiration for him. I think we got a lot stronger."
*** On Charles Kelly: "I feel like he's been around forever. You spend a week with him and you're like, 'That's my brother.' And he's returning to a place he loves."
*** AL.com Joe Goodman asks what it is like to have a SEC without Nick Saban. Let's move on....
*** HF mentions he has known Deboer for a long time. "He has some big shoes to fill."
*** Mentions not having Saban at SEC meeting means there isn't the guy who will yell and scream when they don't agree with something. Says Kirby Smart could be that guy. "That comes more naturally to him."
*** "Glad we got all three of those." - on Percy Lewis, Cam Coleman, Jerran Thompson
*** Says Percy Lewis loves to ride motorcycles. "How he got on a motorcycle I don't know."
*** Cam Coleman: "Makes us look difference. Can't tell you how excited I am about him. Don't want to put too many expectations on him because he's freshman... I expect him to play as a freshman."
*** On Thompson: "Love his energy. Love his knowledge of the game. He knows all three spots back there. He's vocal. He's played at a high level at a good program."
*** On what he wants to see from Dline during spring: "The biggest question mark we have is in the interior losing Marcus and Justin and Lawrence. Excited to get the transfers in here and excited about the freshmen class."
*** Keldric Faulk has been amazing as sophomore, taking a leadership role along the front.
*** What he wants the offense to look like? "The success everywhere I've been is the RPO run game and the passes that you get off that. To have that you have to have 3 receivers who can win one-on-ones."
*** "I think we will be able to go as fast as anyone in the country. Is that smart? I don't know."
*** Differences on defense under Durkin: "I think we will be more consistent in our effort and not giving as many explosive plays. We gave up too many in critical moments."
*** Three most characteristics of a HF QB: "Take care of the ball, accuracy and decision making."
*** Asked about Lane: "I love him. I love his family." Mentions he isn't reading much social media these days.
*** Who were the guys that stepped up accountability wise? Damari Alston, Jarquez Hunter, Payton Thorne, Luke Deal, Connor Lew, Dillon Wade, Jay Fair, Jalen McLeod, Keldric Faulk, Eugene Asante, Keionte Scott and Champ Anthony
*** He mentions that he isn't getting as many names on the dreaded lists (problems, etc...) this year compared to last year.
That's it for Freeze.
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