Tag: Holden Geriner

Hugh Freeze shares first thoughts on QBs following opening day of spring practice

Did Hugh Freeze like what he saw out of Auburn’s quarterbacks on Monday?

The day that head coach Hugh Freeze and Auburn fans alike have waited for has finally arrived…  it is officially spring football time.

One of the many questions surrounding Auburn football this spring is the quarterback battle between [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag], [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag], and incumbent [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag]. Fans expect to see a change in the lineup or an improvement in skills from those three candidates, but what needs to be done?

Freeze got his first chance to truly evaluate the position on Monday, and shared his genuine assessment of what he saw with the media.

“I thought our quarterbacks threw some decent balls, at times, and other times where our mechanics were really bad,” Freeze said following Monday’s spring practice opener. “But I kind of expected that.”

Freeze said earlier this month that it was difficult to evaluate Auburn’s returning options because of the inadequate time they had in the pocket last season. Auburn now has a revamped offensive line, which may solve some of the issues. Freeze also has two great consultants on staff in offensive coordinator [autotag]Philip Montgomery[/autotag] and quality control analyst [autotag]Kent Austin[/autotag] that will aid in the effort of finding ways to improve each quarterback.

Despite the less-than-ideal start to the spring for Auburn’s quarterbacks, Freeze says that their attitude towards improving leaves him feeling optimistic.

“If they’ll keep giving the same energy and effort that they gave today, we’ll get better throughout spring,” Freeze said.

Auburn will continue their spring practice on select dates from now until Saturday, April 8, when the annual A-Day game is set to take place.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1364]

Could Auburn add a QB from a rival program?

Auburn is expected to be buyers when the transfer portal window opens again in May. How far will Auburn go to find a QB?

It is no secret that [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] is skeptical of his newly-acquired quarterback room.

He discussed his current quarterback situation following February signing day, saying that spring practice would be a great time to adequately judge the returners.

“Truthfully when I watched the cut-ups that I’ve watched, it’s hard. It’s hard for me to adequately judge quarterbacks if they’re not afforded the opportunity to stand in the pocket and make reads and make different throws for a decent percentage of time,” Freeze said. “The sample size for that is pretty small if they weren’t under some type of duress, or maybe it was more of a move-the-pocket scheme.”

No matter what happens during spring practice, it seems as if one quarterback, if not more, will transfer out of the program, which leaves the door open for another quarterback to step in and compete for the starting job this fall.

Bleacher Report’s Brad Shepard has an idea of who could join Auburn’s roster once the transfer portal window re-opens on May 1, former five-star and current Georgia QB, [autotag]Brock Vandagriff[/autotag].

In a piece titled Long Shot CFB Transfer Ideas for Big-Name QBs Who May Lose Key Position Battles, Shepard lists ten QBs across College Football who could be on the move following spring practice. Heading into the spring, Vandagriff will compete with Carson Beck and Gunner Stockton for the chance to replace Stetson Bennett in the starting quarterback role. Beck is the overwhelming favorite to take the job, which could leave Vandagriff looking for a new home.

With new coach Hugh Freeze on the Plains, Auburn took some transfer portal swings for guys like Devin Leary and Spencer Sanders. With incumbent [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] set to battle returners [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag] and [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag], as well as incoming freshman Hank Brown, there aren’t any exciting options on paper.

Vandagriff is a 6’3″, 205-pound former 5-star from Bogart, Georgia, who didn’t play strong competition in high school and hasn’t broken through with UGA. But two years under offensive coordinator Todd Monken had to help. He may upgrade Auburn’s situation.

The 15-day window for the Transfer Portal re-opens on May 1. Auburn is set to begin spring practice on Monday, Feb. 27, and will conclude on Saturday, April 8 at Jordan-Hare Stadium with the annual A-Day spring game.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1364]

The possibility remains for Auburn to add transfer quarterback

Spring practice will be a vital time for Auburn’s QB room.

Auburn Football and head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] filled several holes during the transfer portal window, especially at offensive line. However, there’s one area that still has questions.

Auburn was in the market for several quarterbacks during the 45-day period that spanned from Dec. 5 until Jan. 18, including Oklahoma State’s Spencer Sanders, NC State’s Devin Leary, and Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall. Auburn missed out on those targets…so what does that mean going forward?

Auburn will for sure begin the spring with the four current quarterbacks on the current– [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag], [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag], [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag], and [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag]. Those four will be evaluated, and the decision to add another quarterback will be made before the second window opens on May 1.

“I think I’ll know a lot more after spring practice,” Freeze said when asked about possibly adding a quarterback during the second transfer portal window during a recent press conference.

Spring practice will be vital for Auburn’s quarterback room, as Freeze will examine how well each candidate not only progresses under the new scheme but also how well they perform with more protection from Auburn’s revamped offensive line.

“Truthfully when I watched the cut-ups that I’ve watched, it’s hard. It’s hard for me to adequately judge quarterbacks if they’re not afforded the opportunity to stand in the pocket and make reads and make different throws for a decent percentage of time,” Freeze said. “The sample size for that is pretty small if they weren’t under some type of duress, or maybe it was more of a move-the-pocket scheme.”

Auburn will begin spring workouts on Friday, Feb. 27, and the annual A-Day game is set for Saturday, April 8 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

[mm-video type=video id=01gr2qf9x2m027rewtzb playlist_id=none player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gr2qf9x2m027rewtzb/01gr2qf9x2m027rewtzb-4beeadf6161de814106c5badb658ca64.jpg]

[listicle id=61224]

Former Oklahoma State QB announces transfer decision

Spencer Sanders is heading to the SEC West, but it is not the decision Auburn fans hoped that he would make.

Hugh Freeze has made a splash in the transfer portal since taking over the Auburn Football program in late November by signing the nation’s No. 2 class according to 247Sports.

Auburn has met several needs thanks to the transfer portal, including those on the offensive line and at linebacker. Freeze and company were hoping to bring in a quarterback from the portal, but their main target has elected to sign with an SEC Western Division rival.

Spencer Sanders, the former Oklahoma State quarterback who passed for over 9,000 yards as a four-year starter for the Cowboys, has committed to Ole Miss according to a report by ESPN’s Chris Low.

Sanders becomes the second quarterback to commit to Ole Miss in as many days, joining former LSU quarterback Walker Howard. Sanders and Howard will have to battle Jaxson Dart for the starting quarterback role in Oxford.

According to a report in December, Sanders and Freeze were in contact with one another, although it was never known if Sanders visited campus, or was offered the option to transfer to the Plains. Unless more options become available following spring practice, it looks as if Auburn will hold a battle between incumbent [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag], returners [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag] and [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag], and freshman [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag] for the starting quarterback job.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[listicle id=60219]

T.J. Finley to the Big Ten? A social media post speculates the possibility

Quarterback T.J. Finley’s status with Auburn has been uncertain for quite some time. Could he be on the move to a Big Ten program?

Following a season that ended with a shoulder injury, Auburn quarterback T.J. Finley’s status with the program has been in question for quite some time.

Finley’s season was considered a disappointment, as he completed 33-of-53 passes for 431 yards and one touchdown to four interceptions. His time on the Plains may be over, and a new chapter in his career could begin in the Big Ten according to a recent tweet.

In a vague Instagram story, Finley posted the eyeballs emoji as well as his location at Ohio State University. His post has sparked wild rumors amongst Ohio State fans and media that Ryan Day could be interested in his talents.

While it is unknown if Finley’s visit to Columbus is for recruiting purposes, The Ohio State fanbase is not entirely excited about the possibility of adding Finley to the roster. Ohio State fan account Buckeyes Insider says that Finley would be welcomed only if it were for depth purposes, while Buckeyes Wire writer Josh Keatley does not see Finley being a viable replacement for the outgoing quarterback and Heisman finalist C.J. Stroud.

It is extremely hard for me to envision the Buckeyes having any interest in Finley. His college career has been disappointing and I don’t see him as a better option than either Kyle McCord or Devin Brown. It is understandable for there to be a drop-off from C.J. Stroud to whoever is next in line, but Finley seems like a nose-dive.

Though he has not officially announced his intentions, it has been rumored that Finley will enter the transfer portal during the offseason. Auburn returns [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] and [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag] from last season’s roster and added three-star [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag] to its quarterback room during the early signing period. It is also no secret that Hugh Freeze is looking to add a quarterback from the transfer portal before next season, with Oklahoma State’s Spencer Sanders and Virginia’s Brennan Armstrong being the most popular names at the time of this post.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[listicle id=59669]

Auburn among top schools in sweepstakes for Brennan Armstrong

Auburn is one of three schools that is in the hunt to land the former Virginia quarterback.

Auburn has been a hot name in the transfer portal market since its opening on Dec. 5, especially at the quarterback position.

The first quarterback portal battle for Auburn was between NC State’s [autotag]Devin Leary[/autotag] and Coastal Carolina’s [autotag]Grayson McCall[/autotag]. However, Leary elected to sign with SEC foe Kentucky, and McCall recently decided to remove his name from the transfer portal.

Now that the fate of those two quarterbacks has been sealed, Auburn appears to have two more names within its sights.

Reports surfaced on Dec. 23 that Auburn and head coach Hugh Freeze had been in contact with Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders about possibly earning his signature. There appears to be another name in the race, Virginia’s [autotag]Brennan Armstrong[/autotag].

ESPN’s Pete Thamel shared Monday during a segment on College Gameday that the Virginia field general has been contacted by Auburn, as well as NC State and Oklahoma State.

Thamel is led to believe that Armstrong is leaning towards staying in the ACC, and will be reunited with his former offensive coordinator.

“Brennan Armstrong had a down year with the departure of Robert Anae, his offensive coordinator (from Virginia),” Thamel said. “I was told (Monday), ‘Don’t be surprised if Armstrong reunites with him at NC State.’ Auburn and Oklahoma State are also in the mix there.”

Armstrong had his strongest season in 2021 under the direction of Anae. Despite Virginia finishing with a 6-6 record, Armstrong completed 326-of-500 passes for 4,449 yards and 31 touchdowns.

[autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag], [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag], and [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag] return to the quarterback room from last season’s roster. Auburn also added three-star [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag] to its’ 2023 signing class. However, Freeze is looking for experience at the position in his first season at Auburn. Quarterbacks such as Sanders and Armstrong fit the mold of what Freeze is looking for.

“Yes, we are (going to seek a transfer QB),” Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said during his early signing period press conference on Dec. 21. “If it’s the right one, that we believe we can win games with.”

Sanders and Armstrong are among the top quarterbacks that remain in the transfer portal, joining Arkansas‘ Malik Hornsby.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[listicle id=58625]

Hugh Freeze, Spencer Sanders reportedly in contact

After NC State QB Devin Leary signed with Kentucky, Hugh Freeze is seeking another quarterback option from the transfer portal.

Auburn enters the offseason with a lack of depth at the quarterback position.

[autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] and [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag] remain from last season’s roster following the departures of [autotag]Zach Calzada[/autotag] and [autotag]Trey Lindsey[/autotag] to the transfer portal. Mix that in with the mysterious future of [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag], and the freshness of 2023 signee [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag], and Auburn will need to add a quarterback with some sort of experience.

“Yes, we are (going to seek a transfer QB),” Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said during his early signing period press conference on Wednesday. “If it’s the right one, that we believe we can win games with.”

The next biggest name tied to Auburn is former Oklahoma State quarterback [autotag]Spencer Sanders[/autotag] according to Nathan King of Auburn Undercover.

Sanders, who entered the transfer portal in early December, would be a solid fit in Freeze’s system due to his success as a passer. In four seasons at Oklahoma State, Sanders passed for 9,553 yards and 67 TD. He is also a threat with his feet, as he has added 1,956 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns to his career total.

Sanders is the next name to watch following former NC State quarterback [autotag]Devin Leary[/autotag]’s signing with Kentucky. Leary visited Auburn prior to the start of the early signing period but elected to sign with the Wildcats. Coastal Carolina’s [autotag]Grayson McCall[/autotag] has also been a hot name to follow, however, he canceled a trip to Auburn due to an “academic snag” according to Jeffrey Lee of Auburn Live.

Auburn has inked two additions from the transfer portal since Dec. 5, former Vanderbilt EDGE rusher [autotag]Elijah McAllister[/autotag] and former FIU tight end [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag].

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[listicle id=58625]

Auburn has reportedly reached out to former NC State quarterback Devin Leary

Auburn, along with several Power Five programs, has one of the top transfer quarterback options on its radar.

Auburn is in the market for several additions from the transfer portal. One of those positions that the Tigers are looking to boost is quarterback.

Since the transfer portal officially opened on Dec. 5, Auburn has been connected with several transfer-minded quarterbacks including Spencer Sanders of Oklahoma State.

There is now another name to watch for, former NC State quarterback [autotag]Devin Leary[/autotag].

In a recent episode of the 247Sports’ College Football Recruiting Show, 247sports’ Brian Dohn says that Auburn is one of six programs that have reached out to Leary to gauge interest in boosting their quarterback room.

“Notre Dame is involved, we’ll see what happens with them and (Texas transfer quarterback) Hudson Card, Auburn has reached out. UCLA, who’s looking for a quarterback. South Carolina has reached out because you want to see what happens with (Gamecocks starting quarterback) Spencer Rattler (and the 2023 NFL Draft). Kentucky has reached out, though I keep hearing (Wisconsin transfer quarterback) Graham Mertz with Kentucky. And Oregon has reached out.”

Auburn will look to build depth to its quarterback room following the departure of Zach Calzada to the transfer portal. [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag]’s status is still unclear. If Finley were to leave, only [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] and [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag] remain as scholarship quarterbacks from last season’s roster. Auburn currently has a quarterback committed for the 2023 cycle in [autotag]Keyone Jenkins[/autotag].

Leary will be a great option for a program that needs one season of experience in order to fully develop its depth at the quarterback position. Leary passed for 6,807 yards and 62 touchdowns during his four years in Raleigh. In 2021, Leary threw 35 touchdowns and 3,433 yards. His special season led him to earn the 2022 ACC Preseason Player of the Year award.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[listicle id=58625]

Freeze making late push for four-star quarterback

Freeze hopes to get this talented Tennessee prospect to campus this weekend.

The early signing period begins on Wednesday, Dec. 21, and [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] is making an 11th-hour push to land one of the nation’s best quarterbacks for the 2023 cycle.

According to a report by Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, Freeze paid a visit to Music City on Wednesday in an effort to sway [autotag]Marcel Reed[/autotag], the nation’s No. 24 quarterback from the 2023 recruiting class, from his commitment to Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss.

Reed has received 20 offers but does not have one from Auburn as of this post. His only known tie to Auburn was that he attended a school camp in 2021.

Auburn is looking to add depth at the quarterback position this recruiting cycle. [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] and [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag] are expected to be the only returners for next season’s squad after the departure of Zach Calzada and the uncertainty of T.J. Finley’s future with the program. Auburn has the commitment of one quarterback for the 2023 class in [autotag]Keyone Jenkins[/autotag], a three-star from Miami, Florida.

Reed, who recently won “Mr. Football” for the state of Tennessee, displays good athleticism in the pocket and is decent on his feet says 247Sports’ Cooper Petagna.

Displays good foot quickness and setup in the pocket. Active mover, demonstrates some quick twitch movement ability to extend plays within the pocket. Displays a quick release with the ability to get the ball out from a variety of angles. Shows the ability to change his arm slot with or without his feet set. Live arm, shows the ability to make every throw on the field. Plays with an accelerated play tempo. Balls either out quick or he’s fleeing the pocket to extend the play. Flashes some touch and accuracy on the deep ball. Displays some velocity and shows the ability to drive the ball down the field.

In addition to Auburn, Texas A&M is also active in trying to pull Reed away from Ole Miss. Reed visited the Aggies last weekend, and they are expected to return the favor by visiting Reed at his home in Nashville this week.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[listicle id=58318]

ESPN analyst Tom Luginbill links transfer quarterback to Auburn

Luginbill says there is one transfer portal quarterback that would pair well with Hugh Freeze’s offense.

Newly named head football coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] has hit the recruiting trail hard since being named head coach on Nov. 28.

Freeze said in his introductory press conference that he feels that he can get Auburn to a respectable level of competition fairly quickly thanks to the emergence of NIL and the transfer portal.

“Ten years ago, you didn’t have (NIL and the transfer portal), and so the turnaround is a little different. Kids couldn’t just leave a school and come to Auburn. They can now,” Freeze said. “I do think we’ve got to be careful to get the right kids that fit our culture, but at the same time, it’s much easier to add to your roster now than it was when I took over at Ole Miss and they hadn’t won an SEC game in two years.”

One area that needs a boost is the quarterback position. [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] improved over the final four games of the season, especially in his run game. He is still a prime candidate to remain QB1 heading into 2023, but the position as a whole needs depth.

Zach Calzada has already entered the portal, and the status of [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag] is unknown for next season. If Finley leaves, Auburn will have three scholarship quarterbacks on its roster, including [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag] and 2023 commit [autotag]Keyone Jenkins[/autotag] in addition to Ashford.

It would not hurt to have an experienced quarterback on the roster, whether it be to provide a “shot in the arm” or for leadership purposes. Out of all the current quarterbacks occupying the transfer portal, there is one that is viewed as a perfect match for Freeze and Auburn.

ESPN College Football analyst Tom Luginbill joined The Next Round on Wednesday to discuss Auburn’s options in the transfer portal. He says that Auburn should pursue Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders as a transfer for a myriad of reasons, including from a momentum standpoint.

“When you marry Spencer Sanders and that skillset, and what we saw in the past from Hugh Freeze’s iterations with what we saw from Malik Willis, and even though it’s a one-and-done-type scenario, what if it helps you get off the mat, right,” Luginbill said on the show based out of Birmingham. “What if it helps you accelerate the improvement of the program, (and) generate momentum with the program? I like that marriage of the offensive identity and the skillset and a guy that’s played a lot of football, been highly successful.”

Sanders is seen as a prolific passer. In four seasons at Oklahoma State, Sanders threw for 9,953 yards and 67 touchdowns. This season, he passed for 2,642 yards and 17 touchdowns. If Freeze is looking for a one-year option to better develop his quarterback rook, Sanders may be a viable option.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[listicle id=58595]