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A.J. McCarron Claims Kalen DeBoer Used Nick Saban's Model To Boost Alabama Recruiting

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Taylor Hartman | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 1:43 PM ET

A.J. McCarron didn’t hold back when asked about the state of SEC recruiting, and he had plenty to say about both sides of the Iron Bowl.

The former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback took a direct shot at Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze, accusing him of deflecting blame for the Tigers’ struggles. At the same time, Alabama continues to thrive under Kalen DeBoer.

“Well, I’ll just start by saying this, Hugh Freeze is full of (expletive),” McCarron said during a recent podcast appearance on "THE DYNASTY". “I think Hugh Freeze is trying to do whatever he can to save face. He’s starting to feel pressure at Auburn.”

McCarron pointed to Auburn’s lack of on-field success and underwhelming recruiting returns as the root of Freeze’s frustration. Entering his third season on The Plains, Freeze has yet to deliver the kind of results boosters and fans expected when he was hired. According to McCarron, that pressure is mounting.

“I played golf with somebody that’s really connected at Auburn,” he added. “Supposedly they had $50 million leading up to this year in their collective that they were wanting to go out and get athletes, and they’re pissed on the fact that it hasn’t been successful like they thought it would be.”

Meanwhile, Alabama has quietly reloaded under DeBoer. Despite taking over for the legendary Nick Saban, DeBoer has landed multiple five-star recruits and currently holds one of the top-rated classes in the country. McCarron believes that’s no accident.

“He’s using the same model Coach Saban built,” McCarron said. “Structure, discipline, development, it’s all still there. And now that the recruits are seeing it, they’re buying in.”

Freeze recently made headlines by suggesting Auburn is “playing by the rules” while others aren’t, a not-so-subtle jab at NIL practices across the SEC. But McCarron sees that as an excuse.

“Instead of pointing fingers, maybe look in the mirror,” he said. “You’ve had time, you’ve had money, and you haven’t delivered.”

With Auburn facing a brutal 2025 schedule and expectations rising, Freeze enters a pivotal year. And if McCarron’s comments are any indication, the pressure isn’t just coming from inside the building, it’s coming from Tuscaloosa, too.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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