Hugh Freeze Predicted to Reunite with Former College Football Player at Auburn

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 1:18 PM ET

Auburn Tigers head Hugh Freeze has secured top-10 recruiting classes in 2026, 2025 and 2024 via On3 Sports.

However, the results have not come yet, with Auburn going 11-14 from 2023-24. Freeze took Auburn to the Music City Bowl in 2023, but the Tigers lost 31-13 to the Maryland Terrapins.

A familiar face may return to Auburn, as On3's Pete Nakos predicted the Tigers to land Liberty Flames defensive lineman Jay Hardy. Hardy played for Auburn in 2020 after appearing in one game before transferring to Liberty to play for Freeze from 2021-22.

Auburn is coming off a 5-7 finish to the 2024 season.

Hardy entered the transfer portal on Monday after spending three seasons with the Flames. He was a former four-star prospect in the 2020 class in the On3 Industry Rankings.

After only seeing the field in one game with Auburn, Hardy played in 13 during his first season with Liberty. He recorded 16 total tackles, two tackles for loss and one pass breakup.

The following season, he posted career highs in total tackles (31), tackles for loss (5) and sacks (2). Hardy appeared in 14 games with five starts on the defensive line.

Hardy's 2024 season did not go as planned, as he suffered an undisclosed injury in the second game against New Mexico State.

He did not play again until the Oct. 23 meeting against Kennesaw State. In seven games he played last season, Hardy had seven total tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup.

Auburn's transfer portal class is led by quarterback Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma), linebacker Xavier Atkins (LSU) and receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (Georgia Tech).

Freeze's third season with Auburn opens against the Baylor Bears on Aug. 30.

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

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