Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze didn’t mince words Monday when reporters asked about the development of quarterbacks Robby Ashford, T.J. Finley, and Holden Geriner in offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery’s system during spring practice.

“It’s very new, what we’re asking them to do, and truthfully I wish we were further along after watching Friday’s tape,” Freeze said. “But it’s certainly not from a lack of want-to, and I’m not even sure it’s a lack of can-do. We just, I think we’ve got to coach it better. Hopefully, we’ll see a turn toward a better understanding of what we’re trying to do this week.”

The Tigers completed their seventh practice Monday after Freeze spoke to reporters. Ashford and Finley have been splitting the majority of the first-team reps.

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Geriner works primarily with the third team and gets second and first-team reps as the quarterback competition continues on the Plains. Freeze found positivity in the work ethic of the trio competing for the starting spot.

“I’ve liked their attitude and I’ve liked their work ethic and I’ve liked the way they desire to be coached. I don’t like the inconsistencies that I’ve continued to see through six practices,” Freeze said. “Again, I want to say that I think part of that is on us, the staff, to get fixed. I’ve challenged myself and the quarterback coaches to — let’s get some of this fixed. These inconsistencies. And see if it’s — I don’t want those inconsistencies to be because of indecisiveness or lack of understanding, that falls in our lap.”

Freeze was asked if he had to name a starter, who would it be. His answer was honest but concerned with April 8th’s spring game rapidly approaching.

“I have no idea on the starting quarterback, Freeze said.

How will Freeze select the starting quarterback? He gave some insight during the press conference.

“Quarterbacks should be making the correct decision — if he’s gonna be your guy — 85 to 95 percent of the time,” Freeze said. “And then you judge the execution, and then you start knowing who your quarterback is based off those. Right now, we’re having too many of the eyes in the wrong spot, and the decision-making isn’t what it’s supposed to be.”

Learning a new offense is never easy, especially in a complex run-pass option system that Montgomery wants to establish. Struggles are part of the process. Freeze hopes his coaching staff can work on making the offense easier to digest for the quarterbacks.

“I think it’s going well. I just wish we were further along with our quarterbacks and their inconsistencies with some of the RPO game,” Freeze said. “I think maybe we should teach it a little differently, and that’s what we’ll begin today. It’s going great, though. Neither one of us has an ego. We’re just like, ‘How are we gonna get them better?’ So it’s been fun.”

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group