Auburn wraps up 'a great spring' with A-Day presented by Golden Flake

AUBURN, Ala. – Concluding spring practice on a sunny Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn combined individual and team periods before finishing with a red zone scrimmage on A-Day presented by Golden Flake. 

“I thought we had a great spring,” Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. “I love the chemistry in our building right now, the energy. It was one of the better springs I’ve been a part of, a lot of credit goes to our staff and our leadership team for demanding accountability. We’ve got to get some guys healthy.”

The practice afforded fans the opportunity to see freshman quarterback Deuce Knight. Junior Jackson Arnold, who sustained a minor hamstring injury on Thursday, sat out on Saturday. With only two scholarship quarterbacks splitting spring practice reps before transfer Ashton Daniels arrives this summer, both passers benefited, Freeze says.

“Working with just two with (quarterbacks coach) Kent (Austin), (assistant quarterbacks coach) Jesse (Stone) and myself was really nice,” Freeze said. “Their arms are probably a little tired because they got most of the throws. I think it was needed for both of them. I feel like we’re way ahead of the game with them understanding our system and what we want to do. Both have high football IQs. Both are hungry and come in and study. 

“Them getting the majority of the reps, we have a lot of things we can teach from. They got to see it firsthand. I thought it was very beneficial to us.”

Sophomore receiver Perry Thompson stood out during the skeleton period, making multiple contested catches. 

“Be patient with the process,” Freeze said. “He’s starting to see the success that comes with that. He’s talented enough to be a really good weapon for us, as you saw today.”

Asked about Auburn’s leaders, Freeze mentioned offensive linemen Jeremiah Wright and Connor Lew, running back Damari Alston and transfer receiver Horatio Fields, whom Freeze says, “has a voice that people follow.” 

Defensively, Freeze listed Keldric Faulk and Champ Anthony. 

“There’s no doubt that they are a driving force on the defensive side,” he said. 

After practice, Freeze and the Tigers signed autographs and took pictures at Fan Day, with Auburn supporters filling much of the lower bowls on the east and west sides, along with the south end zone seats. 

“What a beautiful day in Jordan-Hare,” Freeze said. “Our fans showed up. That tells you about the Auburn people, how great they are and the support they have for us.”

Before the practice, Auburn honored its 2024 award recipients: Luke Deal (Shug Jordan Award, outstanding senior), Jarquez Hunter (Pat Sullivan Award, offensive player of the year), Jalen McLeod (Zeke Smith Award, defensive player of the year), Dorian Mausi (Mike Kolen Award, leading tackler), Jermiah Wright (Ken Rice Award, best blocking lineman) and Keldric Faulk (Great Southern Wood Lineman of the Year).

“It means a lot,” Wright said. “All my hard work is not going unnoticed. It’s a chip on my shoulder to keep working, getting better. Keep my head down, be patient, be humble and trust the process. That’s what I try to get a lot of these young guys to do, trust the process, even if things aren’t going your way, keep grinding and things will eventually turn your way.”

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