Hugh Freeze reveals that he uses personality tests to evaluate potential transfer additions

At the 2025 SEC Kickoff on Tuesday, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze revealed that the team’s players and staff took personality tests this offseason to better understand themselves and each other. However, while taking questions from the press, Freeze admitted the program also used the personality tests to weed out potential transfers.

“We definitely try to do that with portal kids because you’re speed dating,” Freeze said. “You have 24 hours to make a decision and I like that test. High school kids, it’s not as important because you’re going to have time when they get there, and you’ve had a window of a year or two that you kind of have an idea of knowing them. We give them that option if they’d like to. But portal kids, we like to see that.

“It certainly has revealed to me some areas that I can certainly improve on in communication with particular types of players that are different… I’ve had my staff kind of put them in buckets, so I have it on a sheet of paper where I know the way that this kid really prefers to be coached or talked to or addressed, and it it really has worked and been helpful to me.”

Evidently, the strategy worked for Freeze. Auburn reeled in 20 transfers this offseason, and had the No. 6 class in On3’s 2025 Team Transfer Portal Rankings.

Quarterback Jackson Arnold and wide receiver Eric Singleton headlined Auburn’s transfer class, and are expected to be stars for the Tigers this fall. Auburn can use the help.

The program is 11-14 through its first two seasons under Hugh Freeze. Along with Freeze, Jackson Arnold believes Auburn’s use of personality tests will ultimately help the team.

“I do like it for coaching,” Arnold said. “He wants to see what personalities fit him and his coaching style. And if that fit’s not good, then don’t grab that guy out of the portal. I completely understand him doing it.”

Hugh Freeze can only hope Arnold’s correct. The 55-year-old head coach is under immense pressure to improve the program this season, and his job could be on the line.

“Hugh Freeze is on the hot seat. I don’t think there’s any question,” Paul Finebaum said on Monday. “And, the person who put Hugh Freeze on the hot seat is Hugh Freeze.

“… I think it’s easier to find schools that are in must-win situations because there’s so many of them. And, I really, I don’t mean to beat a dead horse but I will. Having been in Birmingham recently, I can’t escape the questions just randomly at restaurants, at coffee shops about Hugh Freeze.”