Auburn Coach Freeze Cites House Settlement for Recruiting Struggles

The House v. NCAA settlement, effective in 2025, introduced a revenue-sharing cap allowing schools to pay athletes up to $20.5 million annually, significantly impacting college football recruiting dynamics. Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze highlighted that while Auburn adheres strictly to the settlement's guidelines, this approach has put the Tigers at a recruiting disadvantage compared to programs that may be pushing the limits. Auburn has struggled to retain recruits and maintain a competitive class, falling to last in the SEC and 89th nationally in the 2026 recruiting rankings, partly due to lost commitments and limited compensation offers. Freeze emphasized the new challenge of roster retention under the salary cap, noting that unlike previous years, recruiting cannot simply focus on signing large classes without considering existing player contracts. Despite the setbacks, Freeze remains optimistic about Auburn's ability to rebound, underscoring the need to operate within the rules while managing the financial constraints imposed by the settlement. This shift marks a transformative period in college athletics where compensation transparency and adherence to new regulations are reshaping recruiting strategies across programs.