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What is the biggest question facing Auburn heading into the summer?

Justin Hokansonby:Justin Hokanson•05/25/25•

_JHokanson

Auburn QB Jackson Arnold, HC Hugh Freeze
(Auburn Athletics)

The 2025 season is a critical one for Auburn football and Hugh Freeze.

It’s Year Three of the Freeze Era. With two Top 10 recruiting classes and quality transfer portal additions locked down, the pressure will be on the Tigers to top Vegas’ projected win total of 7.5.

On3 Sports reporter Pete Nakos recently opined on the biggest question facing each preseason Top 25 team and when he came to Auburn, it’s probably no secret what the question centered around.

Nakos wrote:
“Hugh Freeze made a bet in December, going all-in after Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold. The former five-star quarterback struggled in 2024, throwing for 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns, but he also fumbled the ball nine times. In a recent interview, Freeze nearly named Arnold the starter. The question is now whether Arnold can deliver for Auburn and Freeze, who has yet to post a winning record.”

There are some depth issues on defense and there will be extra weight on the shoulders of players like Keldric Faulk, Jay Crawford and Demarcus Riddick. The offensive line should be better, led by future pro Connor Lew and coveted transfer Xavier Chaplin. The receiver room has three legitimate NFL prospects, led by Eric Singleton Jr. and Cam Coleman.

But unless Arnold and Freeze rise to the occasion — consistent execution in critical downs, limiting turnovers, etc. — this fall could mirror the roller coaster that took place the last two seasons.

There’s plenty of optimism. Arnold is a former 5-star prospect with all the talent in the world. Freeze is a creative and smart play caller. The ceiling is high.

Freeze recently said Arnold will enter summer workouts and preseason camp as QB1. That shouldn’t surprise anyone. Freshman Deuce Knight and transfer Ashton Daniels will do their best to create competition that improves the entire position group, but Arnold needs to be the answer.

“Jackson is number one. Do I want him to be pushed by Deuce (Knight) and Ashton (Daniels) every single day? Absolutely,” Freeze said. “Do I want Jackson feeling like it’s his and him getting that confidence and swagger? Yes. Do I want him looking over his shoulder, thinking Deuce and Ashton had two really good practices? Yes. I want both.”

Pro Football Focus ranked Auburn’s quarterback room the No. 8-best room entering next season. Much of that ranking is based the potential of Arnold and Knight, and certainly part of that ranking is based on Daniels’ experience and seemingly good fit within the system.

“Honestly, I think we have one of the better QB rooms in the SEC. We haven’t proven it yet, but you stack those three guys in there and you have an argument you have three pretty good dudes,” Freeze said.

But going back to Nakos’ point, if Auburn is going to meet and exceed expectations, like most teams, Arnold better perform.

“He’s got a calm demeanor, confidence, he understands ball, high football IQ, arm strength is good,” Freeze said this spring. “There’s a reason he was Gatorade Player of the Year coming out of high school and I think needed a start to regain some confidence, and I think he’s doing that in a fast, fast pace.”

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