The Auburn Tigers are coming off the team’s third straight losing season after dropping the Music City Bowl to see them end at 6-7. Under 2nd year head coach Hugh Freeze and fresh off securing the #10 recruiting class per the 247 Composite, the Tigers will look to take a step forward in 2024.
When I asked my brother, an Auburn grad, what he thought about this season for the Tigers he said, “7-5 or 8-4” and, honestly, I think that’s what we’re going to get from them (though much closer to 7-5 than 8-4).
Offense: Jarquez Hunter and…?
The Auburn offense in 2024 will go as running back Jarquez Hunter goes. Hunter is a senior who ranks 18th in Auburn history in rushing yards with 2170, and a big season could see him vault into the top 5 or even top 3 all-time at Auburn. Last year, Hunter ran for 59 hard fought yards on 19 carries with a touchdown against Georgia, and the gameplan will surely be to feed Hunter again this season.
Outside of Hunter, though, there isn’t a lot to get too excited about with Auburn. Payton Thorne returns to quarterback the Tigers for a second straight year. Thorne’s PFF rating in 2023 was 64.3, good enough for 101st in FBS. That type of output is not going to cut it in the revamped SEC, and we’ll see if Freeze turns to 4-star true freshman Walker White at some point this year.
One true freshman we for sure will be seeing a lot of is 5-star wide receiver Cam Coleman. From Phenix City, AL, Coleman is a 6’3” star in the making (assuming the quarterback can get him the ball). Additionally, Auburn also has true freshman Perry Thompson, a top 50 recruit per the 247 Composite, at wide receiver and ready to compete for snaps. Auburn also landed KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Penn State) and Robert Lewis (Georgia State) from the portal.
The Auburn offensive line should be ok but not elite in 2024. The Tigers will have freshman All-American Connor Lew anchoring the line at center, and have veterans Dillon Wade and Jeremiah Wright returning, but there isn’t anything that suggests the line play will be in the top 5 of the SEC.
Auburn’s skill position group has loads of talent, but their quarterback situation and offensive line will only allow the offense to be so productive.
Defense: Improvement Under D.J. Durkin?
Auburn’s defense will have a new general in 2024. Former Maryland head coach and Texas A&M defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin will be the Tigers’ defensive coordinator this season. Durkin will look to have the Auburn defense be more aggressive at getting after the quarterback. Auburn posted only 31 sacks in 2023, 8th best in the SEC. Under Durkin, Texas A&M led the SEC in sacks with 42.
Auburn landed several defensive linemen from the transfer portal. Gage Keys, Trill Carter, Philip Blidi, and Isaiah Raikes all bring experience to the Tigers’ defensive line. While Auburn’s line may not have the high end talent others in the SEC do, it will be much improved in depth.
Senior Eugene Asante returns to anchor the linebacking core. Asante led the team in tackles in 2023 with 86 and will be a pivotal leadership voice for the defensive unit. As with other areas on defense, the Tigers brought in a critical transfer in fifth year senior Dorian Mausi Jr. from Duke. Mausi Jr. has 44 games of experience and will bring some stability to the linebacking core.
In the secondary, cornerback may be an issue. Auburn lost both D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett to the Seattle Seahawks, and Conyers’ own Colton Hood transferred to Colorado to play with his younger brother. Keionte Scott will be tasked with leading the cornerbacks, and the Tigers will need a youngster to emerge opposite of Scott. At safety, Texas transfer Jerrin “Bug” Thompson will anchor the backend of the defense.
With a new defensive coordinator and several incoming transfers, Auburn will need their new look defense to gel sooner rather than later.
Special Teams: A Strength in 2024
When talking about Auburn’s special teams unit, the conversation starts with sophomore kicker Alex McPherson. A freshman All-American in 2023, McPherson was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist after going 13-13 on field goals and 40-40 on his PATs. In fact, McPherson currently holds the Auburn record for consecutive field goals made with 19 after he also connected on six field goals in 2022 when he secured his redshirt.
At punter, Oscar Chapman returns for his senior season. Chapman was named the Ray Guy Award punter of the week in 2023 after his performance against Georgia that saw him blast a 71-yard punt to flip the field.
Bottom Line
As we saw last year at Jordan-Hare, Auburn can give anyone a scare on any given Saturday. Unfortunately for them, that task is much harder away from the Plains. Auburn hasn’t won in Athens since 2005, and it does not appear that they will fare any better in 2024. There are things to like about what Freeze is doing at Auburn, but it will take a bit more time.
Prediction
Georgia 38 Auburn 17