Hugh Freeze sends a strong message about Auburn football. NIL
Hugh Freeze, Auburn football’s head coach, discusses how his club tackles the NIL and the transfer portal.
Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze talks about how his team approaches NIL and the transfer portal
Over the last few years, the combination of Name, Image, and Likeness, or NIL, laws and the NCAA transfer site has dramatically altered the landscape of college football. Recruiting used to emphasize connections; a commitment to a school was for the next three to four years or more, and players sought to attend programs that would help them develop and become good athletes.
Much of that is still true today, but it would be stupid to believe that money is no longer one of the most important motivators in recruiting, particularly when it comes to bringing in transfers from the portal.
Many Auburn football supporters expected the coaching staff to try to recruit a transfer quarterback this offseason, particularly given Payton Thorne’s performance in the Music City Bowl. However, head coach Hugh Freeze has reiterated his choice to go with Payton Thorne rather than a transfer quarterback.
“I believe in our quarterback room,” Freeze told Auburn Undercover. “I believe in Kent Austin (the quarterbacks coach). I feel that with the right components around Payton, we can achieve success. I believe you saw parts of that, and I don’t think we have a complete package surrounding him.”
Freeze went on to discuss his faith in the quarterbacks that are already on the Plains, as well as the matter of NIL money.
“You’re given the following options: develop Payton, Holden, Hank, and Walker, or spend a million dollars on this person. I couldn’t bring myself to do that because I wanted to put everything together. I’m not saying I won’t do it in the future, but for the time being, I believe the guy has shown himself.”
With a virtually entirely new set of wide receivers, including 5-star freshman Cam Coleman, Freeze and his coaching staff believe Thorne may be more productive this season. Not to add that Freeze is supposedly more involved in this year’s offensive strategy under new offensive coordinator Derrick Nix.
When it comes to how Auburn football regards NIL, it’s evident that relationships, culture fit, and acquiring excellent players in all position groups take precedence over dropping a bag on a single player.
“I just don’t feel comfortable with some of the bidding wars for some of the top guys on the portal,” Freeze acknowledged, according to On3. “Not that we aren’t being fair. It’s just that I want to create the entire roster and want to do it with players who fit into your culture.
Though Freeze has made good use of the portal during his time at Auburn, particularly in his first year on the Plains, it appears that he is still not ready to abandon traditional recruiting methods.
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