Walker White’s decision to enter the transfer portal marks a significant moment in Hugh Freeze’s Auburn football era, adding to a growing concern over his ability to develop quarterbacks. White’s departure is now the third QB under Freeze’s watch to leave the program, following Hank Brown and Holden Geriner. With Jackson Arnold recently committing to Auburn, White’s move makes one thing clear: Freeze has yet to successfully develop a quarterback he recruited out of high school.
Despite a small sample size—Geriner was not a Freeze recruit—the numbers paint a worrying picture for the Tigers. Freeze’s insistence on sticking with underwhelming QB options like Payton Thorne has led to a 5-7 record in 2024, and the lack of progress from his recruits casts a shadow over his tenure.
With the addition of four-star recruit Deuce Knight, who has already faced criticism for his choice of jersey number, Freeze’s third season at Auburn may see even more pressure. The honeymoon period is over, and Auburn fans are growing impatient for results. Freeze’s ability to develop talent, particularly at quarterback, is now central to his future success—and possibly his job security.
Auburn’s culture of losing, lingering from the Bryan Harsin era, remains a major hurdle. If Freeze can’t turn things around quickly, AD John Cohen may be forced to make a tough decision. The urgency is clear: Freeze must prove he can cultivate talent, or Auburn could be looking for its fourth quarterback in as many years.
