Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze visited Tuesday’s practice in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. He was there to watch defensive linemen Derick Hall and Eku Leota. During his visit, reporters asked several questions about his time on the job since taking over coaching duties.

Freeze discussed several topics. One of the primary focuses was the Tigers’ quarterback situation. Freeze said in December that the team would be open to signing a portal quarterback if there were a proper fit. The Tigers’ efforts didn’t come to fruition during the first portal signing period.

Freeze seemed unfazed when asked about the quarterback situation heading into spring football.

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“We’re always open to improving every room in our building,” Freeze said. “But I’m excited to work with the current quarterback room that we have. I believe we’ve had success everywhere I’ve been with quarterback play. When I watch the tapes from last year, I’m not sure if any of the quarterbacks had a fair chance sometimes. They didn’t get protected very well, and that starts up front.

TJ Finley won the starting job with Bryan Harsin as the head coach after fall camp but suffered a shoulder injury in the Week 3 loss against Penn State. He returned to the lineup in the loss at Ole Miss. For a while, it appeared that Finley’s last play in a Tiger uniform would be getting strip-sacked against the Rebels.

Finley wasn’t with the team for the last four games of the season; however, he is participating in winter workouts with the team.

Robby Ashford saw the most action as the Tigers’ starting quarterback last season. He showed promising moments like his throw on a touchdown pass in the first half of the Iron Bowl loss against Alabama. Ashford was one of the few players to show up at Freeze’s introductory press conference and expressed excitement about learning from Freeze.

Holden Geriner saw brief playing time during his freshman season with three passing attempts when Ashford suffered a shoulder injury during the Missouri win at Jordan-Hare. Hank Brown is a promising quarterback in the 2023 signing class. As of now, Ashford, Finley, Geriner, and Brown would be the quarterbacks on the roster when spring football gets rolling.

Freeze expressed excitement about the group while not pulling any punches about the need for more production from the quarterbacks.

“We’re having very honest conversations,” Freeze said. “This room has to change. This room has to grow up. I don’t mean that as a personal attack on anyone. But, to be the quarterback of an SEC program is a big responsibility. It takes a lot. We’ve been honest with each other. I’m pleased with what I’m hearing about their work ethic from our strength coaches.

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group.