Hugh Freeze Explains Auburn's Approach to Recruiting After Recent Struggles
The Auburn Tigers' 2026 recruiting class ranked No. 8 overall on On3 Sports at one time.
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That has changed drastically, as Auburn's class now ranks 71st and is dead last among the SEC. On a recent edition of "See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack," Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze offered insight into the program's recruiting tactics.
Freeze stated that the program is trying to play the long game when it comes to recruiting and stressed that Auburn was operating within the rules of the new house settlement. The $2.8 billion antitrust settlement was approved in June and allows for colleges to pay student-athletes directly.
Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze with Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin. Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK
"I think it's a long game play for us that I think is gonna work out in our favor, because we're doing it very transparent in the way we believe the settlement is written to operate, if that makes any sense," Freeze said.
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Auburn's 2026 class is led by four-star edge rusher Hezekiah Harris, four-star athlete Peyton Falzone and three-star linebacker Adam Balogoun-Ali.
Recently, the Tigers have lost the likes of Shadarius Toodle to the Georgia Bulldogs, Devin Carter to the Florida State Seminoles and Denairius Gray to the Kentucky Wildcats. Linebacker JaMichael Garrett, who was also once an Auburn commit, reopened his recruitment this offseason.
Auburn's recent recruiting struggles are rare under Freeze. Since he took over in 2023, he has had top 10 classes in the 2024 and 2025 cycles. However, the results still have yet to come for Freeze, who enters 2025 with an 11-14 record and one bowl game appearance.
The Tigers open the 2025 season with the Baylor Bears on August 29. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
Related: Hugh Freeze Breaks Silence on Backlash for his Golfing
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
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