The Auburn Tigers' quarterbacks, wide receivers, and offensive line are getting a lot of attention, but the defensive backfield is an underrated group.

The mention of lingering back issues stems from a serious health incident during Freeze's tenure at Liberty, when a life-threatening staph infection in 2019 left him hospitalized and temporarily unable to walk. He famously coached that season opener from a hospital bed stationed in the press box, communicating with his staff via headset.