HUGH FREEZE HAS BEEN STRUGGLING IN RECRUITING
I will say that Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze has been struggling on the recruiting trail during the 2026 cycle. I realize that this is supposed to be ChopChat and not the Auburn Fansided site "Fly War Eagle" (check out their site if you haven't already).
Freeze has been criticized by the fan base for his failure to recruit lately. The Tigers were once listed as the number one class in the 2026 cycle, but they have now fallen to the 89th-best class according to the 247Sports Composite. It might not be any easier for Auburn as they open the 2025 season with Baylor on the road.
You might be wondering why I am discussing Coach Hugh Freeze in this piece.
NORVELL IS PUTTING COACH FREEZE IN A MESS
I don't know why head football coach Mike Norvell has decided to pick on Hugh Freeze during the 2026 recruiting class, but he has landed three prospects this cycle that have selected Florida State over Auburn: Four-star wide receiver Devin Carter, four-star tight end Xavier Tiller, and four-star Earnest Rankins.
This isn't even counting former four-star cornerback prospect Shamar Arnoux, whom they flipped on Early Signing Day, who is expected to be a contributor during his true freshman season in 2025.
Coach Norvell might not be done with recruiting Auburn's targets either as the Seminoles are heavily involved with four-star offensive tackle Wilson Zierer from Rabun Gap, Georgia, who will be announcing his commitment (likely this summer) between Florida State, Auburn, and Alabama.
Zierer's older brother (Killian) was a former offensive lineman with the Tigers, so the legacy connection is there, but there is a quiet confidence that Florida State could make some waves in his recruitment after he officially visited the Seminoles on May 9th.
If the Seminoles were able to get Zierer in the recruiting class, it could break Freeze's soul and the fan base's before the Tigers' season starts. Florida State does need to land an offensive tackle during the 2026 cycle since it only has three interior offensive linemen committed to the fold.