Every year since Hugh Freeze took over at Auburn, the recruiting classes have gotten better. Unfortunately, it hasn't translated to a ton of success for the Tigers, who are in a bit of a lull for the program. In 2026, the recruiting class is shaping up to be very weak in a surprise change, and it could cost Freeze his job.
Auburn is far from the dominant program it once was despite solid recruiting typically, so Freeze needs sustained success to get off the hot seat. Based on CBS Sports' Andrew Ivins' grade of the Tigers' 2026 class, that may not be possible.
"The Tigers have had plenty of success prying top targets away from rivals in the past under Freeze, but they are going to need an industrial-sized spatula if they are going to avoid unprecedented regression in 2026 -- and if Freeze is going to get the entire Deep South to stop talking about his golf affinity," Ivins said.
Getting in-state linebacker Jaquez Wilkes does help bump Auburn up to number 65 overall, but that's still a far cry from the rankings they'd been getting over the last few years. The Tigers did load up on transfers, so a big group of recruits was unlikely, but they still haven't come away with hits.
"The good news for the folks on The Plains?" Ivins said. "The Tigers are very much in play for five-star safety Bralan Womack, who is set to announce Aug. 21 on CBS Sports. Ohio State is Auburn's top foe for Womack." If they can reel him in, that would significantly change the outlook. It still wouldn't be ideal, though.