Speaking with Auburn HC Hugh Freeze before the first preseason practice this morning. Click refresh, will continue to update...
** Exciting to kick off the new season. Now we get to se how your team handles the strain and stress of fall camp. One of themes of fall camp is that "commitment is an obligation that restrains my freedom of action." Some people don't like that but that's what it is. Must pledge to each other to have physical and mental toughness.
** Good summer with Coach Dom. Guys are bigger and stronger. Helped ourselves in recruiting. We'll see how much we've closed the gap.
** On Jarquez Hunter: similar quote from media days -- no comment, will be handled internally.
** Most uncomfortable camp Freeze has been involved in with so many new players. Feels like he's starting out behind in evaluations. Wants to get on the field and see what's real.
** New OL transfer Dylan Senda was highly recruited out of high school. Jake Thornton already had a relationship. Senda is a "big, good-looking dude." Fits Auburn culture. Helps our depth and helps us long term.
** Peyton Thorne is always hitting up Freeze to visit with him and ask questions. Comfortable with his leadership, work ethic, football IQ. Still got to see it on the field. Excited about competition.
** Needed to overhaul WR room. Previous system is much different than what Freeze runs. Believes he's improved room and returning players will get better.
** Wants to create pressure and adverse situations for QB's and see how they respond. Who the team really rallies behind the most is important too. All three will rotate almost equally through first five practices.
** Has talked to most of their top 25 targets this week. Some big decisions are coming up. Hopefully some go our way.
** Freeze says he's still adjusting to new college football world with the transfer portal and NIL. He said he works hard at building relationships in the locker room.
** Excited to see a lot of the new guys out there today. Excited about OL. Thinks they've really improved there. Need to improve our mental toughness in the secondary. Have some talent there. Excited to see how QB room competes.
** "The commitment it takes to win today," is the secret sauce for success during camp and during a season. Got to be consistent and got to be committed. Need as much info as possible during fall camp so we aren't shocked in game one. "You have to behave as a champion before you can become one."
** There should be some joy in life no matter what you do. It's probably not reality that you're going to win every game. Part of the Auburn experience is that young men that have gone through this program still have affection for AU because of the experience they had here. Even when it's stressful and difficult -- and I will break people down during camp -- but can bring them back up after a bad day.
** Loved the running back room this spring. Excited about adding Cobb. Damari has been one of our better leaders this spring.
** Really excited about new guys at Jack. ELijah is incredible leader, sets tone for defense. Adding McLeod and Sings gave us some explosiveness that we needed.
** RB Brian Battie is limited but will practice. "I think that's it. May be a few more that are limited."
** Not exactly sure on timetable for naming starting QB. Not sure we can't win games with several of them. Very cautiously optimistic that we can win football games with several of those guys. Heck, it may be three games into the season that we decide this is who we have to roll with in crunch time. I hope not, but we'll see. We'll have a starter. Is it bonafide? Show me the stats from game one. Have to judge against opponent and dig deep into his performance.
** Thinks they could be finished adding players for 2023 but will never say never on that.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
** Exciting to kick off the new season. Now we get to se how your team handles the strain and stress of fall camp. One of themes of fall camp is that "commitment is an obligation that restrains my freedom of action." Some people don't like that but that's what it is. Must pledge to each other to have physical and mental toughness.
** Good summer with Coach Dom. Guys are bigger and stronger. Helped ourselves in recruiting. We'll see how much we've closed the gap.
** On Jarquez Hunter: similar quote from media days -- no comment, will be handled internally.
** Most uncomfortable camp Freeze has been involved in with so many new players. Feels like he's starting out behind in evaluations. Wants to get on the field and see what's real.
** New OL transfer Dylan Senda was highly recruited out of high school. Jake Thornton already had a relationship. Senda is a "big, good-looking dude." Fits Auburn culture. Helps our depth and helps us long term.
** Peyton Thorne is always hitting up Freeze to visit with him and ask questions. Comfortable with his leadership, work ethic, football IQ. Still got to see it on the field. Excited about competition.
** Needed to overhaul WR room. Previous system is much different than what Freeze runs. Believes he's improved room and returning players will get better.
** Wants to create pressure and adverse situations for QB's and see how they respond. Who the team really rallies behind the most is important too. All three will rotate almost equally through first five practices.
** Has talked to most of their top 25 targets this week. Some big decisions are coming up. Hopefully some go our way.
** Freeze says he's still adjusting to new college football world with the transfer portal and NIL. He said he works hard at building relationships in the locker room.
** Excited to see a lot of the new guys out there today. Excited about OL. Thinks they've really improved there. Need to improve our mental toughness in the secondary. Have some talent there. Excited to see how QB room competes.
** "The commitment it takes to win today," is the secret sauce for success during camp and during a season. Got to be consistent and got to be committed. Need as much info as possible during fall camp so we aren't shocked in game one. "You have to behave as a champion before you can become one."
** There should be some joy in life no matter what you do. It's probably not reality that you're going to win every game. Part of the Auburn experience is that young men that have gone through this program still have affection for AU because of the experience they had here. Even when it's stressful and difficult -- and I will break people down during camp -- but can bring them back up after a bad day.
** Loved the running back room this spring. Excited about adding Cobb. Damari has been one of our better leaders this spring.
** Really excited about new guys at Jack. ELijah is incredible leader, sets tone for defense. Adding McLeod and Sings gave us some explosiveness that we needed.
** RB Brian Battie is limited but will practice. "I think that's it. May be a few more that are limited."
** Not exactly sure on timetable for naming starting QB. Not sure we can't win games with several of them. Very cautiously optimistic that we can win football games with several of those guys. Heck, it may be three games into the season that we decide this is who we have to roll with in crunch time. I hope not, but we'll see. We'll have a starter. Is it bonafide? Show me the stats from game one. Have to judge against opponent and dig deep into his performance.
** Thinks they could be finished adding players for 2023 but will never say never on that.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
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