< Previous20 STATS COMPARISONS AUBURNTIGERS.COM AUBURN STATS LEADERS* RUSHING ATT NET AVG TD LONG AVG/G Jarquez Hunter 187 1,201 6.4 8 50 100.1 Payton Thorne 112 283 2.5 2 31 25.7 Damari Alston 52 276 5.3 3 36 23.0 PASSING CMP-ATT-INT PCT YDS TD AVG/G Payton Thorne 199-317-9 62.8 2713 21 246.6 Hank Brown 27-43-3 62.8 403 6 100.8 RECEIVING NO. YDS AVG TD LONG AVG/G KeAndre Lambert-Smith 50 981 19.6 8 67 81.8 Cam Coleman 37 598 16.2 8 63 54.4 Malcolm Simmons 40 451 11.3 3 57 37.6 DEFENSE UA A TOT TFL-YDS SACKS-YDS Dorian Mausi 50 31 81 8.5-24 2.5-13 Jerrin Thompson 44 21 65 2.0-15 1.0-14 Jalen McLeod 39 18 57 13.5-70 8.0-48 *2024 Statistics BAYLOR STATS LEADERS* RUSHING ATT NET AVG TD LONG AVG/G Bryson Washington 175 1,028 5.9 12 51 93.5 Dawson Pendergrass 121 671 5.5 6 55 51.6 Richard Reese 58 241 4.2 1 28 21.9 PASSING CMP-ATT-INT PCT YDS TD AVG/G Sawyer Robertson 229-368-8 62.2 3071 28 255.9 Dequan Finn 23-43-2 53.5 307 3 102.3 RECEIVING NO. YDS AVG TD LONG AVG/G Josh Cameron 52 754 14.5 10 47 58.0 Ashtyn Hawkins 45 567 12.6 5 35 43.6 Monaray Baldwin 27 478 17.7 5 46 36.8 DEFENSE UA A TOT TFL-YDS SACKS-YDS Keaton Thomas 58 56 114 7.0-19 2.5-12 Matt Jones 64 49 113 9.5-37 4.0-26 Devyn Bobby 53 27 80 3.0-7 0.0-0 *2024 Statistics Here is a quick look at the top team statistics for the Tigers and Bears. ( * 2024 Statistics) Quick Look n Total Touchdowns 4258 n Rushing Yards 1,9862,324 n Passing Yards 3,1673,397 STATS COMPARISONS22 COVER FEATURE AUBURNTIGERS.COM Brandon Frazier won’t be the only one wearing a No. 87 Auburn jersey on Friday night when the Tigers kick off the season at Baylor. From Brandon’s hometown of McK- inney, Texas, north of Dallas, it’s a two- hour drive south to Waco. “An awesome experience,” Frazier said of the Lone Star State homecoming. “Last season, a lot of family and friends are coming to the game. Being that close to home, it’s easy for them to travel. I have a great support base back home, and I’m excited for them to come watch my last first game in college.” A teammate for several seasons with former Tiger tight ends John Samuel Shenker and Luke Deal, now it’s Frazier’s turn to be the elder statesman, along with converted offensive lineman Tate Johnson. “We’ve always had a lot of older guys in the room,” Frazier said. “Tate’s an expe- rienced veteran at Auburn and in the of- fense. It’s been great. Our personalities all mesh very well. We have a lot of different talents and players who can do it all. I’m excited about everyone in our room.” It’s Frazier’s third season under tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua, who appre- ciates what Brandon brings to the posi- tion group. “Veteran leadership,” Aigamaua said. “An Auburn man who teaches those young guys how to work and how to study film. Somebody I can rely on to be a leader for us.” At 6-foot-7, the 267-pound Frazier presents a sizable target for Auburn’s quarterbacks. “You forget how big he is and how athletic he is,” Aigamaua said. “Now that he’s healthy, he got through spring ball and summer workouts. He’s out there making awesome plays for us.” “I definitely have a size advantage against most of my opponents in the passing game,” Frazier said. “I think I’m a mismatch. Big-body target, throw it up, or I can box somebody out and make a play. I think I can create a disadvantage for the defense and help us make plays on third down or in the red zone.” Even with Auburn’s roster of elite re- ceivers such as Cam Coleman, Eric Sin- gleton Jr., Malcolm Simmons and Hora- tio Fields, there’s still room on the call sheet for plays designed for tight ends, especially near the goal line. “We have a lot of stud receivers, and they’re going to let us create our one-on- ones with linebackers and safeties. I feel like our tight ends also can run routes,” Frazier said. “I’m not saying we’re as fast as them, but we can make the contested catches and score some touchdowns as well. I’m excited to create some explo- sive plays for the offense this year.” With 12 career receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns, Frazier un- derstands that while receiving is the flashy part of a tight end’s job descrip- tion, blocking is equally important. “Every day we’re going against some of the best in college against our de- fensive ends,” Frazier said. “Practicing against the best is helping me have COVER FEATURE BY: JEFF SHEARER AUBURN OPENER AT BAYLOR ‘AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE’ FOR TEXAS NATIVE BRANDON FRAZIER24 COVER FEATURE AUBURNTIGERS.COM some different tools in the bag. Working on my craft every day has been helping me prepare myself to go block big guys all season.” Two years after graduating from Au- burn University’s Harbert College of Business, Frazier is taking his final class this semester to earn a master’s degree in supply chain management, an edu- cation that will serve him well when his football career concludes. “I want to get into business,” Frazier said. “I’m not sure what that entails yet. I’ve made a lot of connections through Auburn as well as friends and family back home in Texas. I’ll be excited for any opportunity that comes my way af- ter this year and focus on this season.” When he injured his foot on the first series of Auburn’s third game last season, Frazier faced several options: professional football, beginning his business career or returning to the Plains for a sixth season. “One more year is only going to help me to work on my craft and show NFL scouts that I can compete at the high- est level,” Frazier said. “I also wanted to change the recent narrative around Au- burn. We’ve had only one winning season since I’ve been here. I’m tired of losing. “I think coach Freeze has done a great job bringing in guys and the coaching staff, and letting us be the se- niors that help change the narrative and get Auburn back in the right spot near the top in the country. “When I got hurt, it was eye-opening just to see how sometimes you can take the game for granted. You can’t play it forever so embrace it while you have it. It was tough because I expected a big year last year, but God works in myste- rious ways. I’m excited to show what I’ve got this year.” Frazier’s loyalty to Auburn also factored in his decision to come back for an encore. “I love Auburn,” he said. “Auburn has given me the opportunity to do what I love and has given me so many memo- ries that I will cherish.” Brandon hails from a family of ath- letes, including a grandfather who played football at Wyoming, parents Justin and Jennifer who both played college basketball at Abilene Chris- tian, and two college football-playing brothers. Brandon won’t even be the only Auburn student-athlete wearing No. 87 under the Friday Night Lights. His wife, former Auburn volleyball standout Jackie Barrett, ranks fifth all-time in as- sists. Ironically, after four seasons on the Plains, Jackie played her final season at Baylor in 2024. “But don’t worry, she’ll be wearing her Auburn Tigers jersey,” Brandon said. “She’ll be there head to toe in Auburn gear.” COVER FEATUREOFFICIAL INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS MEDICINE PROVIDER OF AUBURN TIGERS ATHLETICS WE ARE HERE FOR L TO R: Michael Goodlett, MD, FAAFP- Team Physician Benton A. Emblom, MD - Team Orthopaedic Surgeon Jos Edison, DO - Associate Team Physician At Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, we’re here for the competitor in all of us — from rookies chasing their dreams to legends who never quit. We’re here for the believers, the driven, the passionate. We’re here for the ones who rise, again and again. We’re here for the Auburn Tigers. To schedule an appointment, call us at 205-939-3699 Locations: Birmingham | Cullman | Gardendale | Hoover | Pelham | Trussville ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS Christopher M. Beaumont, MD E. Lyle Cain, Jr., MD Andrew M. Cordover, MD Jeff rey C. Davis, MD Jeff rey R. Dugas, MD Benton A. Emblom, MD Christopher H. Garrett, MD Daniel C. Kim, MD Wayne McGough, Jr., MD Kathleen E. McKeon, MD K. David Moore, MD Charles C. Pitts, Jr., MD Marcus A. Rothermich, MD Norman E. Waldrop, III, MD NON-SURGICAL SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICIANS Matthew B. Beidleman, MD Christopher S. Carter, MD Emily Bell Casey, MD Ricardo E. Colberg, MD Rachel G. Henderson, MD Monte M. Ketchum, DO JoséO.Ortega,MD T. Daniel Smith, MD Jay S. Umarvadia, MD PHYSICIAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION Charles T. Carnel, MDY O U R T E A M S . Y O U R S T A T I O N S . WINGSFM.COMESPNAU.COM FOOTBALL/MEN’SBASKETBALL/WOMEN’SBASKETBALL/BASEBALL/TIGERTALK ALLPLAYHERE. Auburn-Opelika’sOfficialFlagshipStationsoftheAuburnTigersCOMPETITIVE COMPETITIVE THE COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGE EDGE HARBERT COLLEGE OF BUSINESS HARBERT.AUBURN.EDU At the hArbert college of business excellence goes beyond the classroom. From boardrooms to stadiums, our students lead with grit, purpose, and the Auburn spirit. WE’RE NOT JUST PREPARING BUSINESS LEADERS —WE’RE INSPIRING EXCELLENCE ON AND OFF THE FIELD. X Sophie is a senior Business Analytics major with a minor in Business Engineering Technology. She’s active in Women in Technology and Sports Analytics student organizations.28 HEAD COACH HUGH FREEZE AUBURNTIGERS.COM Hugh Freeze became the 31st head football coach in Auburn history in No- vember 2022. Freeze has more than three decades of continued coaching success, including head coaching ex- perience that has led to conference ti- tles, nationally ranked recruiting classes and bowl appearances at multiple stops during his highly decorated career. In Freeze’s first season at Auburn, despite a shorthanded roster, the 2023 Tigers posted a 6-7 record and earned a Music City Bowl berth. In 2024, the Tigers continued to build on and off the field. Every home game was sold out for the second consecutive season as fans embraced Freeze’s brand of football and Auburn garnered top 10 recruiting class- es for the 2024 and 2025 campaigns. Freeze came to Auburn from Liber- ty University, where he was head coach from 2019-22. Freeze led the Flames to four bowl games and a 34-15 record. Freeze experienced similar success at each of his head coaching stops prior to Liberty that include Lambuth Univer- sity (2008-09), Arkansas State (2011) and Ole Miss (2012-16). Freeze led each school to double-digit win seasons, while helping Ole Miss to a top 10 national fin- ish in 2015. His on-field coaching record in 14 seasons is 114-61. Liberty was just one of five FBS teams in the country to win a bowl game each season from 2019-21, joining Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Louisiana. It was the second team in NCAA history to win a bowl game during its first three full sea- sons at the FBS level, all coming under Freeze’s leadership. Freeze guided Liberty to a 10-1 overall record in 2020 and the team’s first-ever national ranking as it finished No. 17 in the country. That season, Liberty had the best start in program history (8-0), tied the program record for wins (10) and de- feated two Power 5 programs in Syracuse and Virginia Tech. For his efforts, Freeze was a finalist for the George Munger Col- legiate Coach of the Year Award. Known for his fast-paced offensive style, Freeze’s 2020 Liberty team set a school record for rushing yards in a season (2,776) and ranked No. 9 in the country in rushing offense. Liberty also ranked No. 15 nationally in total offense (482.7 yards per game) and No. 11 in to- tal defense (317.7 yards per game). The Flames were one of three teams in the country to rank in the top 20 in both total offense and total defense in 2020, join- ing Clemson and BYU. Spearheading Liberty’s outstand- ing offense in 2020 was former Auburn quarterback Malik Willis, who burst into the spotlight leading the nation in rushing yards (944) and touchdowns (14) by a FBS quarterback. Willis earned All-America honors, was named to the Davey O’Brien Award Quarterback Class of 2020 and was on the 2020 Maxwell Award watch list. The Flames posted an eight-win sea- son in 2021 after facing eight bowl-eli- gible teams during that campaign. Lib- erty’s defense finished the 2021 season ranked No. 7 nationally in passing yards allowed, No. 11 in total defense and No. 24 in scoring defense. Offensively, Lib- erty finished 2021 ranked No. 25 in the country in scoring offense and No. 8 in passing yards per completion. Leading the charge for the Flames in 2021 once again was Willis, who was a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Na- tional Quarterback Award and the Max- well Award and a top 10 candidate for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Willis was a third-round draft pick of the Ten- nessee Titans in the 2022 NFL Draft. In 2022, Liberty finished the regu- lar season 8-4 with wins over Arkansas and BYU; three of the four losses came by a combined five points. The Flames earned a berth in the Boca Raton Bowl. While head coach at Ole Miss, Freeze took the Rebels to bowl games in three of his five seasons, including wins in the 2013 Music City and the 2016 Sugar bowls. Freeze’s time in Oxford was highlight- ed by a 10-3 campaign in 2015, the pro- gram’s first 10-win season since 2003. The Rebels won their first four games of the 2015 season, including a 43-37 road victory over No. 2 Alabama, Ole Miss’ first win in Tuscaloosa since 1988. The Rebels were ranked as high as No. 3 in the national polls in both 2014 and 2015 and finished in the national Top 10 for the first time since 1969 after the Sugar Bowl win. Ole Miss was ranked in the top 25 for 45 weeks over Freeze’s five-year tenure, including a string of 27 straight weeks in the polls for the first time since 1957-62. Freeze collected four nationally ranked recruiting classes at Ole Miss. In 2013 and 2016, his recruiting classes ranked in the top five nationally, the best in program history. Freeze and his staff developed 20 players who earned all-SEC honors, in- cluding All-Americans Cody Prewitt, Senquez Golson, Robert Nkemdiche, Laremy Tunsil, Evan Engram, Laquon Treadwell and Trae Elston. HUGH FREEZE HEAD COACHNext >