Auburn Tigers football, once a program known for its dynamic quarterbacks and championship aspirations, is now facing a period of uncertainty at the most important position on the field. Sonny Smith, the latest in a string of quarterbacks to have played under head coach Hugh Freeze, has officially announced his retirement, further complicating an already turbulent quarterback situation in Auburn. Smith’s decision to retire, though personal, has highlighted a broader issue that has plagued the Tigers over the past few seasons — quarterback instability.
The Rise and Fall of Sonny Smith at Auburn
Sonny Smith’s time at Auburn was marked by flashes of brilliance and moments of frustration. The highly touted prospect transferred from a smaller program, eager to step into a leadership role under Freeze, who has a reputation for developing quarterbacks. Smith had all the physical tools needed to succeed in the SEC: a strong arm, mobility in the pocket, and a competitive fire. However, injuries, inconsistency, and frequent changes in the offensive scheme left Smith struggling to find his footing as a starter.
In his brief tenure as the starting QB, Smith showed glimpses of the talent that made him a highly regarded recruit, but he was also plagued by turnovers, inconsistent decision-making, and an inability to consistently move the offense down the field. He battled injuries throughout the season, which eventually led to his decision to step away from football entirely. Smith’s retirement is a personal decision, but it is also emblematic of Auburn’s broader QB struggles under Freeze.
Hugh Freeze’s Quarterback Quandary
Hugh Freeze, who took over as Auburn’s head coach in 2023, has long been known for his ability to develop quarterbacks at his previous stops, including Ole Miss and Liberty. However, since arriving at Auburn, Freeze has found little success in stabilizing the quarterback position, which has become a major source of frustration for both the coaching staff and Auburn fans.
Auburn’s quarterback carousel has been a revolving door of talent, injuries, and underperformance. In 2023, Freeze inherited a group of quarterbacks who had struggled to live up to expectations, including Payton Thorne (a transfer from Michigan State), Robbie Ashford (who showed flashes but struggled with consistency), and Holden Geriner (a freshman who had yet to see significant playing time). Thorne, widely viewed as the most likely to start, showed some potential but never fully clicked within the offense, while Ashford’s performance was often up and down.
Freeze, known for his quick offensive tempo and reliance on quarterbacks who can make plays both with their arm and legs, has not yet found the ideal signal-caller to run his system at Auburn. The struggles at quarterback have undoubtedly hampered the Tigers’ ability to compete at the highest level in the SEC, where elite quarterback play is often a prerequisite for success.
The Toll on Auburn’s Offense
Quarterback instability has had a domino effect on Auburn’s entire offense. The Tigers have failed to develop a rhythm under center, and this has affected their ability to run the ball efficiently, execute in the red zone, and move the chains on third downs. Additionally, Freeze’s offensive system, which thrives on creating mismatches and keeping defenses off balance, requires a quarterback who can make quick decisions and accurately execute plays. Without consistent play at quarterback, the offense has sputtered, leaving Auburn with little margin for error in the SEC.
Furthermore, the uncertainty at quarterback has had a ripple effect on the development of Auburn’s young skill players. Wide receivers and running backs who could have benefitted from stable, high-level play at quarterback have had their growth stunted by the constant turnover at the position.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Auburn?
With Sonny Smith’s retirement and the ongoing struggles at quarterback, Auburn finds itself in a precarious position heading into the next few seasons. Hugh Freeze, known for his ability to develop quarterbacks, will need to find a long-term solution at the position if the Tigers are to return to prominence in the SEC. The potential is there for Auburn, with a talented roster and strong recruiting under Freeze, but without stable play at quarterback, the Tigers will continue to face challenges on offense.
Auburn’s coaching staff will likely look to the transfer portal once again, seeking a quarterback who can immediately step in and provide stability. At the same time, the development of Ashford, Thorne, and other young quarterbacks will be critical to the program’s long-term success. If Freeze can finally solve Auburn’s quarterback problem, the Tigers could emerge as contenders in the SEC. If not, the QB turmoil will continue to hold back a program that has historically been one of the conference’s most competitive.
