Auburn's 2024 spring practices are making head coach Hugh Freeze happy.
"I really loved out week," Freeze said to the media after Saturday's practice. "I thought, coming back off of spring break, it's usually a little sluggish. They usually have to get their legs used to really working.
"But I thought the energy and the attention was good. We're doing something a little different this year. On Thursdays, we're just totally teach, teach, teach, teach, teach...
"I really like that. We have so many young kids that I think we're going to have to depend on. To play a lot of snaps and give us the depth we need. I think it's really beneficial to them, to just pull back and just teach a lot."
Freeze also defined how the day went with so much going on with recruiting as well.
"At the end of the day, it's been a great day for recruiting. We've got a lot of top guys here. The energy at practice was phenomenal. Everything was really good until the team period at the end.
"I thought it was typical (for spring practice) that the defense really had their way. They're playing really hard. Those kids, the staff, did a really nice job.
"You know, some things, you just hadn't seen; you're not quite ready for it (Freeze smiling and laughing). On the offensive line, in particular.
"Really pleased with the week and I think we're staying fairly healthy. I'm excited about the standard of accountability that we're holding to. It's really player-led, which is the best, I think."
Freeze also took a few moments to comment on some newcomers to the roster and positions overall.
"Safety (Jerrin) Thompson, smart, high IQ. He can play multiple positions. I'm really pleased with him.
"I like our young guys, the 2024 class. (Safety) Kaleb Harris has kind of flashed. He's doing a lot of good things, as is (defensive back) Kensley Faustin. I get to mentioning names, I'll leave somebody out. I mean, Dorian (Mausi) at linebacker, he's been a great leader, too.
"(Wide receivers) Cam (Coleman) and Bryce (Cain) continued to show that they're the kind of athletes that you need to compete at this level. Also, our running back room and our tight end room. Need some of the young offensive linemen to come and give us depth.
"Yeah, (Wide receiver) Robert Lewis, great addition (to the team). He's not a kid, but he's giving himself a chance at playing time.
"(Wide receiver) Sam Jackson, too. You know he's in a yellow jersey still, from the shoulder deal, but he's been in everything but the contact stuff."
As for the quarterbacks, Freeze had mixed thoughts on their performances.
"Really good in the skill period today. I liked all of them. I thought Payton (Thorne) was sharp. He was making the right decisions, as the other kids (were). Hank (Brown) was throwing it really well, Holden (Geriner) threw it well today, too, in those periods.
"We went to the team action and they didn't have much time to get rid of it. I'm blowing the whistle pretty quick. So, we gotta see how we process things when you're really going against live bullets. We'll go through the next few weeks and we'll know more then, but as far as them picking up things, really pleased."
To finish up, Freeze went back to some recruiting thoughts.
"Oh man, this whole week has been phenomenal. It's a lot of work (smiling), but we have yesterday...I met with kids yesterday in my house from 2-to-9. This morning, we started early and I still have a few more to go. I'm really excited about it."
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