Well, the 2024 season did not end well for Hugh Freeze. After all, the Auburn Tigers wrapped up the year with an overall 5-7 record. However, as soon as the season dropped the curtains, Freeze did not waste any time. He dived straight into the transfer portal. Now, we all know what is the best way to make a comeback, right? To grab some big wins in the recruiting race. 

Already Freeze caught side eyes for dishing out a hefty deal to former Oklahoma Sooners QB Jackson Arnold. Just when the Tigers fans might have thought that this was the end to their woes, Freeze is on his way to making another costly decision—this time with 5-star quarterback Jared Curtis. 

Big money and big questions for Hugh Freeze

Freeze did reap some sweet fruits from the portal. As of December, the Tigers brought in 14 transfers. But looks like the Auburn HC is far away from hitting the ‘SETTLE’ button. No matter how deep the waters he lands in. Already he has turned himself into a laughingstock for signing Arnold. The deal came with an NIL offer allegedly worth $1.5 million. This move came off as nothing but a gamble. After all, Arnold was benched a couple of times while playing for the Sooners last season. During his two seasons, the QB posted a 62.9% completion rate with 1,421 yards with 12 touchdowns. So, already, the Tigers’ pockets have gone light. Thanks to Freeze. Here comes another shock.

After Arnold, five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, who is ranked the No. 4 overall recruit in the 2026 class, has locked in an official visit to Auburn. Curtis is the top quarterback in his class and the No. 4 overall recruit in the country. Yes, we get it. Freeze might be getting some FOMO not to chase the 6’3.5”, 225-pound passer who led Nashville Christian School (Tennessee) to a Division II-A championship. But it’s time for some reality check. On the Locked on Auburn podcast, analyst Zac Blackerby sounded an alarm for Freeze and co., “That’s just a lot of money in the quarterback room, which is always going to happen from an NIL point of view.”

He continued, “But that’s a lot of money that’s not expected to play unless something really bad happens to Jackson in that case.” Maybe, it’s high time that Freeze shifts his focus to other positions as well instead of stacking all his fortunes at one place. So is the Tigers HC running after the trend ‘the more the better?’ Sadly, this invites a lot of dilemmas. As Blackerby pinpointed, “I want as many five-star quarterbacks on the roster as possible. But it’s just can you keep three five-stars on the roster at the quarterback position?” While Freeze might figure out the answer, he lands in deeper water. Thanks to this Big 12 HC.  

Hugh Freeze now has a tough competitor in his recruiting drive 

Freeze has been a serious suitor for the Grayson High School phenom Tyler Atkinson since July 2024. Over this period of time, the No.1 LB of the 2026 class had multiple visits to Tigers’ hood. After the Big Cat weekend and his fourth overall visit, Atkinson shared, “Auburn sits very high. They sit super high. They’re a very good school, very good coaching staff.” But over these months, water has flown in different ways. 

Coming off as a package of speed, power, and football IQ, the LB finds himself as the hot target. So much so, that Freeze’s 5-star interest turns out to have 43 offers on his table. For so long, the Auburn HC did not pay heed to the tough competition. But looks like it’s time for him to buckle up. The reason? Has to beat Colorado Buffaloes HC Deion Sanders who holds a high chance of poaching the player. 

On February 2, Coach Prime finally made the bold move– a high-spirited Zoom call with Tyler Atkinson. Now, the player has to be on cloud nine. He shared his feelings on X and wrote, “Good time with Coach Prime I appreciate the time & conversation with Coach Sanders today. #GoBuffs #AtkNup.” So at present, it’s the Auburn HC vs. others in the Atkinson race. That’s how Hugh Freeze is spinning too many plates, and cracks are starting to show.