November 6, 2025
ALERT: John Sumrall in PRIME spot to BUILD Auburn Tigers if named head coach to replace Hugh Freeze
Locked On Auburn - Daily Podcast On Auburn Tigers Football & BasketballAbout this episode
Auburn Tigers football could see a seismic shift if John Sumrall is hired as the next head coach—will his recruiting prowess and experience at Troy and Tulane be enough to compete in the SEC’s fierce talent wars? Zac Blackerby and Brian Smith break down the potential implications for Auburn’s roster retention and NIL strategy, highlighting staff moves, coordinator choices, and the all-important quarterback situation. Key highlights include analysis of defensive coordinator DJ Durkin’s uncertain future, realistic candidates like James Franklin and Jeff Brohm, and how Auburn’s resources and NIL edge might attract top recruits and transfers. The hosts debate if recruiting acumen outweighs on-field results and discuss possible offensive coordinator hires that could revitalize the Tigers’ attack. Plus, insights on Auburn’s quarterback drama heading into their matchup with Vanderbilt keep fans guessing about the Tigers’ path forward in the SEC. Main Segments 00:00 - Sumrall to Auburn: Recruiting Impact Discussion on what hiring John Sumrall as Auburn’s head coach would mean for recruiting and talent acquisition, including his experience at Troy and Tulane, plus challenges with five-star battles. 06:10 - Building an Offensive Staff Debate around potential offensive coordinators if Sumrall is hired, the importance of upgrading Auburn’s offense, and the chance at package deals via the transfer portal. 08:30 - Coaching Candidates & Talent Retention Exploring Auburn’s other realistic head coach candidates (e.g., James Franklin, Kenny Dillingham, Jeff Brohm), which is best for attracting portal/recruiting talent, and concerns around staff retention, specifically DJ Durkin. 15:55 - NIL, Recruiting, and Auburn’s Future Deep dive on how NIL is changing the recruiting landscape and what makes Auburn an attractive job, plus how much recruiting prowess should really weigh in a head coach hire. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.