Could more freshmen get playing time for Auburn? Hugh Freeze doesn’t rule it out

Auburn football is already feeling the impact of its top-ranked 2024 recruiting class on the field.

From defensive backs Kaleb Harris and Jay Crawford to wide receivers Cam Coleman and Malcolm Simmons, the 2024 season was an opportunity for many Auburn rookies to get early playing time.

These four players, along with defensive lineman Malik Blocton and linebacker Demarcus Riddick, have all played significant seasons in the Southeastern Conference. Many of those who have earned playing time have impressed and Hugh Freeze is not afraid to put more young players on the field.

“Some guys that haven’t even played much, maybe we have to move them to third,” Freeze said during his press conference Monday. “Tell a TJ Lindsey or DJ Reed, ‘Man, knock out the quarterback.’ You are fresh legs and talented kids.”

Lindsey, a true freshman, and Reed, a redshirt freshman, haven’t played much for Auburn this season, but both were four-star recruits, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

On the defensive line, freshmen like Blocton and Amaris Williams were already getting playing time, and Freeze argued that Lindsey and Reed could help the group in situations like Missouri’s final attempt to beat Auburn on Saturday.

The offensive line is another group where Auburn could get more help from its freshmen.

Rotation guard DeAndre Carter was the name Freeze mentioned during the SEC coaches conference call on Wednesday.

“He got some reps with them yesterday,” Freeze said of Carter. “Boy, he’s going to be really good.”

Carter was a four-star recruit out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California when he signed with Auburn. He was someone Freeze mentioned during fall camp as a freshman who he thought would fly under the radar.

“We definitely hit him,” Freeze said Aug. 16. “He needs to change his body a little bit, but boy, his feet are good for a big guy. When he pulls, he delivers a blow.”

Auburn is in the midst of some minor changes along its offensive line after Percy Lewis was benched following the first attack against Missouri. Dillon Wade slid over to take his place and Bradyn Joiner filled in on the left side.

“We will continue to look at this this week,” Freeze said Monday. “The movement against us started because we were really good at getting into the right fronts in several games, so everyone is trying to emulate what others have done.”

On Auburn’s first play of the game against Missouri, the defensive line shifted before the snap, which seemed to throw Lewis and the offensive line off balance. He completely missed his block, resulting in an easy sack for Missouri.

Freeze and the team will have options when it comes to their offensive line personnel, but there appears to be confidence in Carter.

If he plays Kentucky, it won’t be an easy entry as he’ll be going up against one of the best defenses in the SEC.

However, being an offensive lineman in the SEC is unlikely to have an easy start to life in conference play.

Peter Rauterkus reports on Auburn Sports AL.com. You can follow him on X below @peter_rauterkus or send him an email at [email protected]M