Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze addresses the new challenges of retaining players in today’s college football landscape. Despite a challenging season in terms of wins, Auburn fans have seen standout performances from the incoming 2024 freshman class, who Freeze and his staff worked hard to recruit. Freshmen like Malcolm Simmons and Cam Coleman have bolstered the wide receiver unit alongside veteran KeAndre Lambert-Smith, while young players like Jay Crawford and Demarcus Riddick have strengthened the defense.
However, Freeze acknowledges that maintaining a roster full of young talent has become more complex with the rise of NIL deals and the transfer portal. Coaches are now not only focused on recruiting new talent but also on keeping their current players committed to the team.
“With so many talented young players we signed in 2024, their phones are bound to ring,” Freeze noted, according to Auburn Undercover. “I wish they’d ignore the calls, but that’s probably naive. I don’t shy away from the reality.”
Freeze credits Auburn’s OnToVictory personnel for helping manage conversations with players regarding NIL and potential transfers but admits it’s still a tough situation.
Freeze explained, “I talked to two head coaches today, one of whom heard that one of his players might transfer and look at Auburn. It’s awkward and challenging, having to recruit your own locker room. We need regulations that protect teams’ rosters so that players and programs have mutual buy-in. Hopefully, that happens soon.”