Auburn hoping for offensive improvement with help of new playmakers, same QB

Hugh Freeze has upgraded Auburn’s offensive talent on the recruiting trail and reclaimed play calling duties.

A head coach known for his offensive acumen is hoping that translates into far more production after a debut season when the offense sputtered, especially the passing game.

Freeze thinks the culture and chemistry of his team has also improved going into year 2.

“I think we’re on the right track,” said Freeze, whose 6-7 debut was only the second losing season of his 11-year head coaching career. “But what does that mean in win-loss total this fall? I’m not sure yet.”

Quarterback Payton Thorne, leading rusher Jarquez Hunter and tight end Rivaldo Fairweather return. But the receiving corps is almost all new, led by Penn State transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith and prized freshman recruit Cam Coleman.

The Tigers are trying to rebound from a third straight losing season, though this one did include competitive losses against Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama.

Auburn ranked 11th in the SEC in scoring, averaging 26.2 points per game, and last in passing offense (162.2 ypg). Freeze fired offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery and replaced him with longtime Mississippi assistant Derrick Nix.

But he’s the primary playcaller now and has more weapons at his disposal.

Thorne’s encore

The Tigers are banking on more production from Thorne and the league’s worst passing offense of 2023. Thorne passed for 1,755 yard and 16 touchdowns but was intercepted 10 times. It was his first season after transferring from Michigan State following spring practice, so he has much more experience in Freeze’s offense now and probably better talent to work with.

“He’s got better receivers,” Hunter said. “He’s got dudes that can go out there and get it, so he’s gotten better with his reads and doing the right targets and throwing the routes where they need to be and on time.”

Receiver renovation

The Tigers are hoping an influx of highly rated receivers helps kick-start the lackluster passing game. The five-star recruit Coleman shined during the spring and headlines a group of four freshman receivers. He was rated the nation’s No. 3 prospect in to the 247Sports composite rankings.

Freeze also added three transfers at the position, including Lambert-Smith.

Much of that group could be heavily relied upon since the Tigers don’t return a wide receiver who had more than 10 catches last season. Fairweather returns after leading the team in receiving.

New coordinators

Freeze turned to new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Nix arrives for his first coordinator job after a longtime stint as a Mississippi assistant. Former Maryland head coach DJ Durkin and co-coordinator Charles Kelly take over the defense.

About that defense

The Tigers must replace five late-round NFL draft picks on defense. But leading tackler Eugene Asante returns at linebacker, along with players like defensive end Keldric Faulk, pass rusher Jalen McLeod and safety Keionte Scott. Former Texas defensive back Jerrin Thompson is among the incoming defensive transfers.

The schedule

The Tigers open with five home games, ending with a visit from new SEC member Oklahoma. That game on Sep. 28 starts a run that includes visits to Georgia and Missouri. The regular season finale against rival Alabama is also on the road.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll

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