Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze has been dealt an unexpected challenge. Well, diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, he now faces a battle far greater than the gridiron. But the silver lining? Doctors caught it early, and a full recovery is expected. And better yet—Freeze is refusing to back down. So, he’ll remain in charge for the 2025 season, leading the Tigers through spring practice and beyond. After two tough seasons, Auburn is gearing up for a breakthrough—but now, their leader must fight on two fronts, proving his resilience both on and off the field.

Auburn’s 4-star commit, Shadarius Toodle, is officially on flip watch. Committed since July 2024, the elite linebacker is keeping his options open—and the competition is fierce. Right now, Toodle, one of Auburn’s top-ranked pledges in the 2026 class, has locked in visits to six powerhouse programs this spring. While the battle for his commitment is heating up, the Tigers have a fight on their hands. As On3 Recruits’ Chad Simmons posted on X, “Auburn 4-star LB commit Shadarius Toodle has locked in 6⃣ spring visits.”

As of now, the first stop? Bill Belichick’s UNC on March 4. Then, it’s Billy Napier’s Florida Gators on March 11, followed by Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs on March 16. But he’s not done yet—Toodle will check out Baylor on March 22, return to Auburn on March 29, and wrap things up with Michigan on April 12. Although Hugh Freeze still has a shot, with powerhouse programs in the mix, keeping this standout athlete in Auburn’s class won’t be easy.

However, Toodle is a game-changer, and the numbers back it up. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound linebacker out of Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile, is a tackling machine. On top of that, as a junior, he racked up over 150 total tackles, proving he’s one of the most dominant defenders in the country. Now, ranked No. 100 nationally, and No. 8 in Alabama at his position per 247Sports, it’s no surprise powerhouse programs are lining up for him. To be honest, with another big season ahead in 2025, Toodle’s stock is only going up.

And Hugh Freeze isn’t just battling the clock—he’s battling Kirby Smart. And that’s no easy fight. Georgia has built a linebacker factory, churning out elite talent year after year. Moreover, the Bulldogs don’t just land top linebackers; they stack them. They dominate recruiting, routinely signing multiple top-10 prospects at the position. And now, they’ve set their sights on Shadarius Toodle. So while Auburn wants to keep him, Georgia wants to steal him.

Amid the recruiting chaos, Auburn’s biggest question isn’t about flips but Hugh Freeze. Is he truly out of danger? The battle with cancer looms, and while he’s staying on the sidelines, the fight isn’t over yet.

An update on Hugh Freeze’s health

Auburn made it clear—Hugh Freeze isn’t backing down. “Thankfully, it was detected early and his doctors have advised that it is very treatable and curable. He will continue his normal coaching duties and responsibilities, and with forthcoming proper treatment, is expected to make a full recovery. Coach Freeze is incredibly appreciative of our medical professionals and has asked that we use his experience as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing and scheduling annual health screenings,” wrote Auburn’s post.

To be honest, a tough battle ahead, but Freeze is staying in the fight. However, Hugh Freeze is no stranger to the sidelines. The 55-year-old has led programs at Ole Miss, Arkansas State, and Liberty before taking the reins at Auburn in 2023. Now, he’s building something big. Yes, this offseason, he landed Oklahoma transfer QB Jackson Arnold, a major addition to the Tigers’ offense.

As of now, with the No. 8-ranked transfer portal class, per 247Sports, Auburn’s roster is stacking up for a serious run in 2025. Now, let’s see how the coach manages both on and off-field battles while leading the program toward a national title.