Aubserver Mailbag 125: The Dan Peck Edition
This week: Transfer portal vs. HS recruiting, JHS upgrades, nicknames, alternate logos, wrestling, The Simpsons and Steve Spurrier
DB Jaylin “Not Bart” Simpson (Auburn Athletics)
Justin is on vacation, and he’s entrusted me with this week’s mailbag.
For those who don’t know me yet: I’m Dan Peck. I’m a writer and broadcaster in Auburn. I grew up in Destin. I co-host THE DRIVE WITH BILL CAMERON on ESPN 106.7 — and ESPNAU.com.
About two months ago, Justin and Painter asked me to begin appearing regularly on AUBURN OBSERVER podcast episodes. Justin and Painter were colleagues of mine at the radio station, and I was always happy to appear on their show.
I was supportive of Justin’s idea to start this fine publication. (I even suggested its name.) I’m thrilled by its continued success and flattered by the invitation to contribute.
Let’s answer some questions!
In my opinion, Hugh Freeze and Co. did a good job upgrading the talent level since they arrived, both in the portal and and in a limited window for the high school class. I'm way more optimistic about this next year given the QB addition, Offensive line and WR transfers, and selective upgrades at other positions.
That being said, I'm trying to take a long-term view with CHF and the program as a whole. Our roster is still two tiers back from Alabama and Georgia and probably one tier back from the LSU/Texas A&M/Texas/Oklahomas of the world, and it takes time and good high school classes to build the base of the program back up. Initially, I'm a little concerned that our 2024 recruiting has seemingly hit a wall. I'm assuming that's pretty normal for a new coach who hasn't demonstrated anything on the field — a lot of recruits seem to be in "intrigued and waiting" mode.
If I'm honest with myself, I think it will take 2-3 years for Auburn to be recruiting at a top 10 level, but as long as we're making progress towards that, I'm okay with that. I'd love a trajectory like south carolina under Beamer (composite HS ranking of 80 -> 24 -> 16 -> 10) over the course of his coaching time. Auburn finished 18th in composite HS ranking under CHF's first class.
What does Auburn need to do on the field over the next 2-3 years to go from 18 -> 15 -> 12 -> 9? What does proof of concept look like in a recruit's mind at each stage of the project?
In my mind, I'd see 7 wins and a competitive spirit this year, 8-9 wins next year (2024), and at least one win over a "Goliath"/competing for the west in 2025.
Reid
I’m interested to see how much Hugh Freeze plans to rely on the transfer portal moving forward.
Everything on his resume suggests he understands the importance of cultivating fruitful relationships with key high school figures, but the portal is a new development.
I suspect Auburn will continue to lean heavily on production from transfers until the high school recruiting is closer to where Hugh Freeze envisions it needs to be.
Auburn needs to sign impact high school players and win battles against their rivals on the trail, and winning on the field will help them accomplish that. But that’s a process that may take time, especially if there are on-field setbacks to weather.
However, overachieving relative to expectations on the field in 2023 could absolutely speed up the time it takes to get Auburn back into the top 10 in the recruiting rankings on a regular basis.
Dear Mr. Peck,
As a member of the Peck Pack, longtime listener of The Drive, and former listener of The Lunch Break, I would like to submit a question to this week’s highly anticipated Auburn Observer Mailbag:
Which offense position group to you think is most vital to success in Freeze’s first season?
LD