Auburn can be one of many first main applications to shut follow because the Tigers host their annual A-Day spring sport on Saturday. The Tigers will give followers a primary glimpse of the 2024 roster as Hugh Freeze’s squad enters its second season.
The Tigers struggled in Freeze’s first season, ending 6-7 with an embarrassing three-touchdown loss towards New Mexico State. Freeze’s signature passing unit completed worst within the SEC, mustering simply 162.2 yards per sport. Mississippi State was the one SEC West program to common fewer factors per sport.
In fact, the roster that takes the sphere on Saturday will not be the ultimate model. 4 further highschool prospects arrive on campus in the summertime, together with nationwide top-40 vast receiver Perry Thompson. The Tigers may be lively within the post-spring switch portal. Nonetheless, the spring sport supplies key analysis time for each followers and coaches.
The format of the spring sport is supposed to construct pleasure and competitiveness. Within the offense-defense battle, the protection will begin with a 27-0 lead on the scoreboard. The offense has 4 10-minute quarters to attempt to surpass the overall so as to win the sport. Whichever unit has probably the most factors on the finish of the 40-minute sport can be declared the winner. Listed here are some spring sport storylines in addition to info on tips on how to watch the Tigers 2024 debut.
Learn how to watch 2024 Auburn spring sport reside
Date: Saturday, April 6 | Time: 2 p.m. ET
Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium — Auburn, Alabama
Stay Stream: SEC Community+
2024 Auburn spring sport storylines
1. Has Payton Thorne taken a step? Auburn weighed some quarterback choices within the switch portal however in the end determined to experience into 2024 with the returning group of sign callers. Incumbent starter Payton Thorne upset mightily in his first season after transferring from Michigan State. He threw for simply 1,755 yards and averaged solely 6.6 yards per try. Behind Thorne, underclassmen Hank Brown, Holden Geriner and Walker White have zero mixed profession landing passes. Poor quarterback play doomed Auburn throughout a irritating first season for Freeze because the unit mixed for only one 200-yard sport towards FBS competitors. If Thorne would not look the half this spring, Freeze might want to look towards the switch portal.
2. Are the receivers prepared? Freeze aggressively focused receivers within the 2024 recruiting class, giving the Tigers one of many extra intriguing new teams within the nation. Cam Coleman is the headliner, the No. 5 general recruit and No. 2 receiver within the Top247 rankings. Bryce Cain is not far behind. Cal’s Sam Jackson V (a transformed quarterback) and Georgia State’s Robert Lewis additionally add some depth. No vast receiver on the roster final season posted greater than 350 yards, a paltry quantity for any SEC unit. Whereas Freeze may hold the passing sport vanilla for the spring sport, it might be good to see one thing — something — from the vast receivers downfield.
3. How does Auburn deal with extra teaching turnover? After the lackluster 2023 season, each coordinators in the end departed this system. Offensive coordinator Phil Montgomery was not retained, whereas defensive coordinator Ron Roberts left for a seeming demotion at Florida. D.J. Durkin is the fifth defensive coordinator in 5 seasons at Auburn, forcing the Tigers to study yet one more system. The protection was one of many few vivid spots of an inconsistent first season, holding opponents to 12.5 factors per sport in wins. Now, Freeze has to take over the offense as playcaller whereas additionally sustaining success on protection proper because the SEC provides Texas and Oklahoma. Any rising pains might show deadly.
