Is Hugh Freeze taking Auburn "Jack to the Future"?
It was a simple question; How is Auburn looking at the Jack? The answer came bluntly and quickly; “We need to recruit more. We are not where we need to be in rushing the passer. We certainly will improve our guys, but we have to get better at that spot for sure. We are deficient in true pass rushers”. With that response, Coach Hugh Freeze turned the heads and widened the eyes of all the Auburn faithful. After decades of being spoiled with some of the best edge pass rushers and defenders to ever strap on a helmet, could the well be dry? Are the cupboards bare? Is Auburn done defensively?
First, Coach Freeze, like almost any other high-level coach, is not satisfied with anything during Spring training. Or ever. It is a hallmark of the business. Secondly, now that we have established the sky is not falling, what is the situation of the newly formed “Jack” position within the 2023 Auburn Defense?
Losing Derick Hall and fellow edge (aka “Jack”) Eku Leota puts Auburn in the position of rebuilding. There will be no plug-and-play replacement for that kind of production. However, in the off-season, Auburn added Senior transfer Elijah McAllister. At 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, and carrying over thirty-six games of experience with an SEC school, he has all the tangibles that you look for to take the next step toward greatness. Coach Freeze mentioned his name and quality reps in the same sentence. That is as close as you will get to a compliment during Spring training. There is still a ton of potential in returning Sophomore Dylan Brooks as well as Senior Hayden Brice. Both of which are poised for their chance at a break-out season. There were also the additions of true Freshmen Benton WIlliams and Keldrick Faulk. Faulk, who has all the physical abilities to make significant contributions immediately, is already the talk of Spring camp. The future of the Jack is bright. There is also always the possibility that we go into the portal for more depth.
Granted, that is very little Auburn experience for a position that has a lot of responsibility in this defense. Enter new defensive coordinator Ron Roberts. A defensive “mastermind” of scheming chaotic defenses. His first love is to stop the run and make an offense pass. Now mix that with what should be one of the best defensive backfields in the country. Stir in a group of linebackers that are looking stronger and building depth with every passing day. That combination will set up the Jack to wreak havoc on quarterbacks. Offenses have been cooked with that recipe before. We will have to wait, wonder, and watch the maturation process and weight room results for Spring and Summer. In the Fall, we might just see a top-three SEC defense emerge on the Plains.
As Auburn has seen in the past, hope and potential can be wonderful things for underrated Tigers.
