Why Hugh Freeze is taking different approach to spring practice in 2025

Auburn football will start spring practice later than usual in 2025, creating a practice schedule head coach Hugh Freeze compared to an NFL schedule.

When speaking to reporters at Senior Bowl practice Wednesday, Freeze said Auburn won’t start spring practice until after spring break (March 10-14) and 247Sports reported that the start date will be March 25.

Freeze joked that he wished they didn’t have spring ball, adding that he’d prefer to have OTAs in June, similar to the NFL.

“I wish they could just be with Dom (Studzinski) and work and get their bodies in the best shape of their life, and us do individual and walk throughs,” Freeze said. “Now I’m not saying not do any ball, but no hitting.

“I wish we would try that one spring and see if our kids aren’t in better shape, better health and ready to roll come fall camp, obviously with, give us 10 days in June, and then you get back in the weight room for July.”

Auburn’s A-Day Spring Game is scheduled for April 12, meaning spring practice will last around three weeks. Freeze said the team will practice four days per week.

“One day is going to be truly NFL. Teach, no pads. So we’ll go Tuesday, Thursday mornings. Friday afternoons will be that, and Saturdays we’ll get after it pretty good,” Freeze said.

Last year, Auburn started spring practice on Feb. 27, almost a month earlier than when the Tigers will start spring ball in 2025. It compacts the practice window, a change from last year when A-Day was not until April 6, over a month after spring practice began.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at prauterkus@al.com