'I really like this team': Auburn concludes preseason camp

by Jeff Shearer
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Auburn University Athletics

Defensive lineman Philip Blidi

AUBURN, Ala. – The bond mitigates the grind.

As preseason camp nears its conclusion with Saturday’s scrimmage at Jordan-Hare Stadium before Auburn University’s fall semester starts next week, Hugh Freeze says his team’s approach has helped the head coach handle the rigors of preparing for the 2024 season.

“It's a tough two weeks,” Freeze said before Friday’s morning’s practice. “I really like this team. I like the attitude. For the most part, it seems that they're operating out of hunger and humility and not some entitlement.

“(They’re) pulling for each other, even though they’re competing for playing time, I’m really enjoying coaching this team and staff.”

While Auburn’s defense had the upper hand in much of last Saturday’s first scrimmage, the offense had its big-play revenge Tuesday evening in the stadium, Freeze said.

“Some one-on-one plays made by the receivers that were just like ‘wow,’” said Freeze, mentioning tight end Brandon Frazier and receivers Camden Brown and Cam Coleman. “We gave those guys a chance to make a play and for some reason during that live portion of the scrimmage they made every one of them.

“It was pretty spectacular the catch he made in the corner of the endzone, one-handed,” Freeze said of Coleman’s latest highlight-reel reception. ““There’s definitely been some back-and-forth, which is good.”

Competition in camp, says Freeze, has elevated the level of play, especially at receiver, where four in-state freshmen joined a group that includes returning Tigers and transfers.

“There is nothing in this world like competition,” Freeze said. “Competition in that room right now is elevating and everyone has responded the right way. It is bringing out the best in those guys and I love to see that. They’re celebrating what happens with the others, so I think we’re creating some really nice depth there.”

Speaking of competition, Freeze says he’s made up his mind about which quarterback will begin receiving second-team reps behind starter Payton Thorne and will announce that decision next week after first informing the team.

While the pass-catching quartet of newcomers Coleman, Perry Thompson, Bryce Cain and Malcolm Simmons has generated headlines aplenty, Freeze also mentioned other freshmen who are primed to immediately contribute, beginning with linebacker Demarcus Riddick.

“He’s going to be outstanding. He’s gotten bigger and can run,” said Freeze, who also mentioned defensive back Jay Crawford, defensive end Amaris Williams, offensive lineman DeAndre Carter and defensive lineman Malik Blocton.

“It’s a blessing,” said Blocton, whose older brother, Marcus Harris, starred at Auburn the past three seasons on the D-line and is now an NFL rookie. “This was my goal. This was the reason I came in here early in the spring, so I can learn some plays, get all of the early mistakes out, have a chance to play and get some reps with the starters.”

Blocton and the rest of the Class of ’24 make their Auburn debuts Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. CT vs. Alabama A&M in Kickoff on The Plains.

20240816_FB_FallCampPractice_AP_0519Malik Blocton

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer