An Alabama-based outlet has sparked debate by suggesting Auburn football is repeating history with its latest moves. The claim? The Tigers’ decision to land quarterback Jackson Arnold through the transfer portal mirrors the same approach that led them to hire head coach Hugh Freeze.
Arnold, a standout QB, made waves at Oklahoma this past season, including a dramatic upset of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Similarly, Freeze earned his reputation as a “Saban-killer” after defeating Nick Saban’s teams in consecutive years while coaching Ole Miss in 2014 and 2015. These parallels, according to Bama Hammer’s Ronald Evans, signal a pattern of Auburn fixating on Alabama.
“The Aubies can’t help it. Auburn football is defined by constantly measuring itself against Alabama,” Evans wrote. “Jackson Arnold’s Alabama upset mirrors why they brought in Freeze: his past wins against Saban. But Auburn’s tunnel vision ignores the bigger picture. Freeze’s career record—both at Ole Miss and Liberty—is just modest success, not championship material.”
A Risky Gamble on Arnold
Auburn’s quarterback room is in flux. Shortly after Arnold’s commitment, promising freshman Walker White entered the transfer portal, signaling potential friction within the team. Meanwhile, top prospect Deuce Knight looms as a future star in the program, putting pressure on Arnold to perform immediately.
Evans suggests this gamble is another “short-term move to chase Alabama,” one that could backfire if Arnold doesn’t meet expectations or stunts Knight’s development.
Auburn’s Long-Term Plan
While Freeze’s hiring and Arnold’s recruitment were likely driven by more than just Alabama connections, critics argue Auburn must establish its own identity rather than chasing comparisons. Whether this strategy works—or Auburn falls into the same trap again—remains to be seen.
For the Tigers, one thing is clear: 2025 will be a defining season for both Freeze and Arnold to prove they were the right choices for Auburn’s future.
