< Previous20 STATS COMPARISONS AUBURNTIGERS.COM AUBURN STATS LEADERS RUSHING ATT NET AVG TD LONG AVG/G Jeremiah Cobb 52 375 7.2 4 46 93.8 Jackson Arnold 55 181 3.3 4 27 45.3 Damari Alston 23 109 4.7 1 15 54.5 PASSING CMP-ATT-INT PCT YDS TD AVG/G Jackson Arnold 69-101-0 68.3 721 5 180.3 Deuce Knight 2-5-0 40.0 20 0 20.0 RECEIVING NO. YDS AVG TD LONG AVG/G Cam Coleman 13 237 18.2 2 46 59.3 Eric Singleton Jr. 22 209 9.5 2 30 52.3 Horatio Fields 12 106 8.8 1 14 26.5 DEFENSE UA A TOT TFL-YDS SACKS-YDS Xavier Atkins 14 5 19 4.0-14 2.0-9 Keyron Crawford 15 3 18 5.0-22 3.0-20 Kaleb Harris 14 0 14 1.0-2 0.0-0 Robert Woodyard Jr. 9 5 14 2.0-2 1.0-1 Sylvester Smith 12 1 14 2.0-9 0.0-0 TEXAS A&M STATS LEADERS RUSHING ATT NET AVG TD LONG AVG/G Le’Veon Moss 33 168 5.1 4 21 56.0 Marcel Reed 25 142 5.7 1 24 57.3 Rueben Owens II 15 82 5.5 0 30 27.3 PASSING CMP-ATT-INT PCT YDS TD AVG/G Marcel Reed 58-99-1 58.6 869 9 289.7 Miles O’Neill 4-7-1 57.1 101 1 33.7 RECEIVING NO. YDS AVG TD LONG AVG/G Mario Craver 20 443 22.2 4 86 147.7 KC Concepcion 13 227 17.5 3 45 75.7 Terry Bussey 7 87 12.4 1 34 29.0 DEFENSE UA A TOT TFL-YDS SACKS-YDS Marcus Ratcliffe 9 6 17 2.5-5 0.0-0 Taurean York 7 10 17 1.0-2 0.0-0 Will Lee III 13 2 15 0.0-0 0.0-0 Albert Regis 9 6 15 1.0-7 1.0-7 Here is a quick look at the top team statistics for the Tigers and Aggies. Quick Look n Total Touchdowns 1717 n Rushing Yards 793471 n Passing Yards 741970 STATS COMPARISONS22 COVER FEATURE AUBURNTIGERS.COM COVER FEATURE BY: JEFF SHEARER Converted twice from offense to defense and back after arriving on the Plains from Selma, Alabama, Jeremi- ah Wright finally found a home at right guard. Last season, Wright started every game at the position, earning the 2024 Ken Rice Award as Auburn’s best block- ing lineman. “All of my hard work, not going un- noticed,” Wright said after receiving the award before Auburn’s A-Day game this spring. “It’s a chip on my shoulder to keep working, keep getting better. Keeping my head down, be patient, be humble, trust the process. “That’s what I try to get a lot of these younger guys to do. Trust the process even when things aren’t going your way. Keep grinding and things will eventually turn your way.” In his sixth season on the Plains, Wright provides leadership to younger teammates on Auburn’s O-line. “It’s harder being a leader because you’ve got everybody looking to you,” Wright said. “You lead by example and everybody’s watching you. You have to do everything right, from the little things to the big things.” A two-way player at Selma High School, Wright came to Auburn to play O-line but switched to defense before his first season, sensing an opportunity to earn immediate playing time. During spring practice after his fresh- man season, Wright tore his ACL, lead- ing to a switch back to offense, a process he would repeat once more before earn- ing his first start at left guard in 2022, his third season at Auburn. “I just stuck it out from there,” Wright said. “A lot of patience. When things ar- en’t going your way, you have to remain humble and keep putting in the work. Even when you feel like everything’s not going your way, you still have to keep grinding, put your head down and do the extra work.” Healthy for a second straight sea- son, Wright’s physical style this season earned praise from SEC Network ana- lyst Cole Cubelic, himself a former Au- burn offensive lineman, who wrote that Wright was “bringing something to the table that we have not seen in a long time on the Plains.” “That’s a blessing for me,” Wright said of Cubelic’s affirmation. “That’s some- one who played here and has been in the trenches before. There’s a lot more that I still have to work on. To hear him say that makes me push myself every day to go harder because I know every- body’s watching me. Still have to chase perfection every day, and that’s what I’m doing.” Asked what he thought Cubelic was referring to, Wright was ready. “He’s seeing someone who is physical MAULER MENTALITY: AUBURN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN JEREMIAH WRIGHT24 COVER FEATURE AUBURNTIGERS.COM and dominant, trying to maul somebody each and every play,” Wright said. “That’s what I’m going to do.” Wright attributes that tenacity to his time playing defense. “I play so aggressive to that defensive mindset,” he said. “I’m trying to get after somebody. Being able to move people off the ball. With offensive line, you also have to play with technique. If you don’t play with technique, you’ll get beat. I have to slow it down, control myself and take the right footwork.” Wright’s aggressiveness shows up especially when it’s time to move the chains. “It also comes with down and dis- tance,” he said. “On third-and-short, we’re fixing to run that ball. Every play, that’s my mindset, but definitely in short yardage.” In pass protection, he tries to combine physicality with the technique required to keep rushers away from quarterback Jackson Arnold. “Owning my gap, owning my space,” he said. “Being a bully out there, that’s me.” Away from football, Wright is quick to smile and has a kind word for everyone. He earned his Auburn University inter- disciplinary studies degree in August 2024, with emphasis on business, com- munication and leadership. Before the season, Wright was named to the watch list for the 2025 All- state Wuerffel Trophy, which recognizes players who exemplify community ser- vice, academic excellence and athletic achievement. The 6-5, 348-pounder is active in community service, both on the Plains and in his hometown. On July 17, Wright became a father with the birth of his son, Jeremiah Tra- maine Wright Jr. “It woke me up some more and gave me another reason to go hard,” Wright said. “It’s been fun for me, watching my son grow.” Grinding through preseason camp and the start of the season while adjust- ing to late-night feedings and lack of sleep has been a challenge, he says. “Something new for me, but it’s also a blessing,” Wright said. “Children are a blessing. I’ll never take it for granted.” Before every home game, you’ll find Jeremiah’s family near the end of Tiger Walk, including his sisters Breanna and Sh’naya, and his mother, Latasha Roller. “I love my sisters,” Wright said. “They call me every day, and my niece and nephew – Kymore and Kamarrion. My nephew has come with me through many Tiger Walks.” Wright plans to pursue a professional football career while sharing resources with the community that helped raise him. “I want to give back to Selma, my hometown,” he said. “Give them a lot of things I’ve been presented here in Au- burn that they don’t have back at home. I want to grow in that aspect.” Thankful to be healthy after injuries disrupted the start of his Auburn career, Jeremiah Wright presses on, determined to conclude his Auburn career on an up- ward trajectory. “I’m hard working,” he said. “Final- ly having back-to-back years being healthy, you’re going to get a dog.” 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 James R. Andrews, MD, Emeritus 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 >