Auburn enters 2025 with Hugh Freeze riding a wave of momentum. The Tigers bring back a solid core from last season and stacked more talent through the portal. New QB Jackson Arnold, the Oklahoma transfer, brings a live arm and RPO savvy to lead the offense. Up front, the line looks stronger than ever with Xavier Chaplin joining veterans Dillon Wade, Connor Lew, and Jeremiah Wright. On defense, Keldric Faulk returns as a disruptive force, while backs Jeremiah Cobb and Damari Alston bring depth and energy. So, this roster gives Auburn a chance to turn the page on last year’s 5-7 finish and make Freeze’s second season a statement year. And now, with names already surfacing on the Senior Bowl watch list, the star power is impossible to ignore.

Well, the Senior Bowl dropped its first-ever ‘Top 300’ list on Wednesday, a major shift from the usual 850 names. So, the goal? Spotlight only the best of the best. “We wanted to raise the bar and truly highlight top-tier talent,” said Drew Fabianich, longtime Cowboys scout and now Senior Bowl director. Interestingly, the trimmed list sets the tone for the 2026 game, mirroring the excellence the showcase is known for. And Auburn made noise of its own, reporting on Friday that six Tigers earned a spot on the prestigious list. So, who are the locker room stars to watch?

Look, on offense, wideout Eric Singleton Jr., linebacker Caleb Wheatland, and linemen Jeremiah Wright and Dillon Wade all earned spots on the Senior Bowl Top 300. Then, on defense, disruptors Keldric Faulk and Keyron Crawford joined them on the list. Now, with Hugh Freeze at the helm, that kind of recognition only fuels the momentum in Auburn’s locker room. So, the talent is there, and the stage is set for a breakout year. But Auburn’s six Senior Bowl picks weren’t just names on a list; they were game-changers in 2024.

Eric Singleton Jr. turned into a highlight machine, racking up 56 grabs and 754 yards, flashing his big-play flair every Saturday. Caleb Wheatland brought the heat with 24 solo stops and 4 sacks, flying around as a true disruptor. Up front, Keldric Faulk was a wrecking ball, piling up 30 tackles and a forced fumble, showing why he’s a future pro. The big men inside, Jeremiah Wright (6’5”, 348) and Dillon Wade (6’4”, 315), locked down the trenches with power and poise. And don’t sleep on Keyron Crawford, who chipped in 16 tackles as a steady force on the edge. So together, they’re not just Auburn’s foundation; they’re the star power pushing this program back into the spotlight. And the road to the 2026 NFL Draft just got sharper with the Senior Bowl dropping its Top 300 list; what came out of the reveal?

The SEC reigns supreme once again, flooding the board with 109 prospects, led by LSU’s stacked roster. Then, for the first time, underclassmen are shaking up the mix, with 53 rising stars proving age is just a number. On top of that, the QB class looks loaded, with 23 passers on the list and nearly a quarter graded inside the top two rounds. And don’t overlook the trenches; WR depth runs deep, while defensive tackles bring real muscle to this year’s crop. So, the message is clear: the Senior Bowl isn’t just a watchlist; it’s the launchpad for the NFL’s next wave of stars. But as the locker room buzzes with energy, Hugh Freeze’s latest comments have some Auburn fans uneasy.

Auburn HC’s latest play

In June, Hugh Freeze, sitting at 11-14 on the Plains, was revealed to have logged more than 20 rounds of golf, even squeezing in 10 that month alone. The timing drew fire, as Auburn watched several commits slip away. Now in Year 3, the heat hasn’t cooled. Yes, Freeze is already under the microscope for his unusual approach on offense, where 3 different voices call plays depending on the situation. And this week, he stirred the pot again, admitting the Tigers could roll out all three QBs in the opener against Baylor. Although Freeze insists each passer has a role, the fans? Not so sure.

And Freeze’s comments sparked a wave of backlash online. One fan fired off, stating, “Actions best be quieter than words. Hugh shouldn’t do another interview, ever.” Another piled on with a sarcastic writing, “But could we also… NOT?” And one joker took it further, saying, “What about one QB per down? That way each gets their own play caller.” The jokes sting because they hit close to home; Auburn hasn’t found steady QB play in years. That’s why the Tigers reloaded with three new signal-callers heading into 2025, hoping at least one can steady the ship.

Jackson Arnold, Ashton Daniels, and Deuce Knight. Auburn’s new QB room is a mix of revival, rise, and raw talent. Arnold, once a five-star, is hunting for a career reset in orange and blue. Then, Daniels brings grit from Stanford, where he went from wildcat gadget player to full-time starter. And then there’s Knight, the five-star freshman with all the upside in the world. So, three paths, and one battle. Let’s see what transpires.