Another losing season has come and gone for the Auburn Tigers after the 28-14 loss to No. 13 Alabama in the Iron Bowl on Saturday.
Despite the program being at unprecedented lows, optimism remains high after seeing what the Tigers’ array of young talent can do on the big stage. Auburn trotted out several freshmen on both sides of the ball in positions of need, and while they experienced some growing pains along the way, there’s nothing but positive news coming from inside the Tigers’ locker room on what the future looks like.
“An enormous amount,” said Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze on growth from the freshmen throughout the season prior to the Iron Bowl. “I’ve seen it every week. I mean the improvement that Malik Blockton, Amaris Williams, (Demarcus) Riddick, Jay Crawford, Kensley Louidor-Faustin - they’re getting better and better each week.
“Offensively, I think our receivers were talented and good, but they’re starting to learn how to play the game better and understand some coverages and depths of routes. I’ve seen the growth, and they are getting better, and hopefully, we will continue to improve this week.”
The Tigers’ defense leads the nation in defensive snaps played by freshmen with guys like Crawford, Riddick, Blockton and Kaleb Harris making a statement for early playing time. Defensive lineman Keldric Faulk, who had a team-high seven sacks – along with Jalen McLeod – in his sophomore campaign, spoke highly of the freshmen stars after what he saw from them this season, in which they contributed to a top 25 overall defense.
“We've got so many young guys on the team that were trying to figure out their roles,” Faulk said. “Older guys were helping them, helping them find out their roles on the team. But those younger guys grew up and found out what college football was like. Next year, we have a lot of experience coming back. I can't wait for that, can't wait to practice."
The Tigers also played some freshmen at key spots on offense, namely out wide at receiver. Cam Coleman emerged late in the season and finished his freshman campaign with 598 yards, ranking third among freshmen receivers in Auburn program history. Malcom Simmons concluded his first year in orange and blue with 451 yards, good for fifth all-time in freshmen receiving yards.
Unfortunately for Auburn’s upperclassmen, they endured the worst four year stretch since 1946-50, where the Tigers also endured four-straight losing seasons and having ended their Auburn careers without a single postseason win. But leadership will continue for guys like Eugene Asante who paved the way for younger guys in the program, despite not suiting up for the Tigers again.
“Extreme gratitude for this university,” Asante said. “Extreme gratitude for these men in the locker room, extreme gratitude for Coach Freeze and his staff. I understand that this is a process-oriented business, and I'm trying to emphasize that to the guys who are the future of Auburn football to just continue to believe in the process and to put all the pain that we went through into the offseason, into the preparation. Don't take it for granted. Guys like me, the seniors — this time flew by.”
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Logan Fowler is a Senior from Sumiton, Alabama and is majoring in journalism. He joined the Plainsman in Spring 2024.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @loganffowler
