“Mike Gittens and Michael Bratton Express Shock Over Hugh Freeze’s High School Reporting at Auburn

Mike Gittens of The War Rapport was taken aback when he heard SEC analyst Michael Bratton’s criticism of Hugh Freeze, suggesting the Auburn football coach relies too heavily on high school recruits.

“I’m sorry, what? ‘I don’t like the way he’s building it through high school’… respectfully, this is a wild take,” Gittens responded. “Sustainability in college football hinges on strong high school recruiting, with a few exceptions. Hugh Freeze is absolutely right on that front.

Bratton, on the other hand, questioned Freeze’s approach, implying he was settling for subpar options, particularly in quarterback recruitment.

“I’m not sold,” Bratton remarked. “I don’t think Hugh Freeze is making the right moves. ‘I ain’t spending a million dollars on a quarterback,’ but you don’t have to settle for less either, Hugh. His reputation is inflated because of beating Alabama twice, but he also lost to Vanderbilt twice in the same timeframe. I don’t think he’s an elite coach. His strategy of building through high school might have worked five years ago, but today, the portal is key. I predict Hugh Freeze could be on a hot seat in the SEC next season.”

Auburn football has been strategically balancing its roster with transfers and blue-chip recruits, aiming to compete immediately while setting up for long-term success. Freeze’s recruiting efforts in 2023 and 2024 are expected to elevate the team’s performance in the coming seasons, with a highly ranked 2025 class poised to bolster Auburn’s standing for years to come.

Until any on-field setbacks occur, Auburn remains focused on its recruiting efforts, confident in the path Freeze has charted for the program.