Auburn Coach Freeze Signals QB Competition Amid SEC Struggles

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze has opened a de facto quarterback competition this week, telling reporters that Stanford transfer Ashton Daniels will take first‑team reps — a clear signal the leash is tightening on starter Jackson Arnold (per Sporting News and ClutchPoints). Freeze said the expectation is for Arnold to start at Arkansas but that the decision will be made day‑to‑day after practices, with Daniels prepared to play and no plan to redshirt him (Montgomery Advertiser, AL.com). Arnold has flashed strong first‑half play — leading opening scoring drives and adding seven rushing TDs — but has struggled on critical late‑game moments, including his first interception vs. Missouri and heavy pressure (sacked repeatedly dating to last season) that have fueled the uncertainty (AL.com, Sporting News). The moves come as Auburn’s season spirals, highlighted by a 23–17 double‑overtime loss to Missouri and an 0–4 SEC start, prompting Freeze to seek a spark (ClutchPoints, Montgomery Advertiser). Compounding Auburn’s offensive woes, starting center Connor Lew suffered a torn ACL and will miss the season, with true freshman Kail Ellis replacing him and committing a costly high snap in overtime (ClutchPoints). Freeze says he and his staff will “play to win” and evaluate the quarterbacks throughout the week as they try to arrest the program’s slide (AL.com, 247Sports, Sporting News).