Hugh Freeze Speaks on Veteran Receiver: ‘A Really Nice Tone of Leadership in That Room’

Wide receiver was a position that the Auburn Tigers were not strong at last season.

The Tigers were led in both receiving yards and touchdowns by tight end Rivaldo Fairweather with 394 and six respectively.

Head coach Hugh Freeze was vocal about his intentions to overhaul the position, both through the recruiting class and the transfer portal.

Freeze accomplished the first part early on, landing two five-star wide receivers in Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson as well as four-stars Bryce Cain and Malcolm Simmons.

Additionally, Freeze and company turned to the transfer portal to bring in Robert Lewis from Georgia State and KeAndre Lambert-Smith from Penn State to bring a veteran presence to the room.

Freeze elaborated on what those two guys bring to the room.

“I think he (KeAndre Lambert-Smith) and Robert Lewis both set a really nice tone of leadership in that room and accountability and showing how to celebrate for the other guys," Freeze said. "There is nothing in this world like competition. It will either bring out the best in you, or I’ve seen some go the other way. It is what it is when that happens. Those are ones you can’t really depend upon.

But that competition in that room right now is elevating and everyone has responded the right way. Whether it is Camden Brown or KeAndre. He’s been out for a while now with his ankle, but he’s looking good right now. But it is bringing out the best in those guys and I love to see that. They’re celebrating what happens with the others so I think we’re creating some really nice depth there. Caleb Burton – it has pushed him so I think we’re all improved there. We’re celebrating. But if KeAndre and Robert don’t respond that way, it probably affects that room so I think their leadership has been really great.”

Lambert-Smith brings four years of college football experience with him and is coming off a season in which he caught 53 passes for 673 yards and four touchdowns.

Lewis is coming off a monster year in which he caught 70 passes for 877 yards and seven touchdowns.

If these two portal players can continually bring that veteran presence on and off the field, Auburn's wide receiver group could be in a good position to succeed in 2024.