Let’s not sugarcoat it—Hugh Freeze’s seat at Auburn is getting hotter by the day. Back-to-back mediocre seasons have the Tigers faithful gritting their teeth, and SEC insiders aren’t holding back. In the world of Auburn football, patience is a luxury no coach can afford, and Freeze’s time to prove himself is running out fast.
Just when it seemed like the walls were closing in, a new name emerged, one that just might shift the conversation and buy Freeze some much-needed breathing room—DJ Barber. The redshirt freshman linebacker isn’t just another name on the depth chart; he’s being touted as the next big defensive playmaker. And if Auburn is going to turn things around, they’re going to need Barber to step up in a major way.
Auburn’s Defense Loses Key Stars—Who Fills the Void?
On January 28th, Auburn insider Zac Blackerby attended Senior Bowl practice and spoke with departing Tigers linebackers Eugene Asante and Jalen McLeod—two key defensive pieces now heading to the NFL. The burning question? Who’s going to step up and take their place?
Without hesitation, Asante dropped a name that should have every Auburn fan paying attention:
“DJ Barber.”
That’s right—the redshirt freshman, a virtual unknown to casual fans, is now being heralded as Auburn’s next defensive leader. Alongside Robert Woodyard, Barber is expected to step into the massive void left by Auburn’s departing veterans. And for those unfamiliar with D’Angelo Barber, that’s about to change in a hurry.
The DJ Barber Hype Train Is Picking Up Speed
Barber isn’t your prototypical linebacker. At 5-foot-11 and 219 pounds, he’s smaller than what most teams look for in a defensive enforcer. But what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in speed, intensity, and raw playmaking ability.
He barely saw the field last year—not due to a lack of skill, but because Auburn’s linebacker room was stacked. Cracking the rotation as a freshman at Auburn is about as easy as sneaking into an exclusive club without a VIP pass. But those who have watched Barber up close are all saying the same thing:
This kid is different.
On the ‘Locked On Auburn’ podcast, Darrell Dapprich echoed the growing belief that Barber is about to make a serious impact:
“I remember when that signing class came through, a couple of different people told me, ‘Don’t sleep on DJ Barber… he’s gonna be a dog.’”
And he’s got the track record to prove it.
The Play That Defined Barber’s Grit and Clutch DNA
If you’re wondering whether DJ Barber has that “it” factor, look no further than December 2019—a moment that has become the stuff of legend.
In the Alabama 6A State Championship, Clay-Chalkville was clinging to a razor-thin 31-28 lead against Saraland. Five seconds left. Fourth-and-five. Ball on the 10-yard line. Saraland’s quarterback, KJ Lacey, saw an opening and took off for what looked like a championship-winning score.
Then—Barber happened.
Like a missile locked onto its target, Barber closed the gap, wrapped Lacey up, and spun him to the ground—with a little help from teammate Carlos Ivy. Game over. State title secured.
And who was in the stands that night, watching it all unfold?
Hugh Freeze and linebackers coach Josh Aldridge.
That night, they saw firsthand what Auburn’s future could look like. And now, with Freeze’s back against the wall, he’s hoping Barber can bring that same game-changing energy to Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Hugh Freeze Is Officially on the Hot Seat—Can Barber Help Him Survive?
It’s no secret that Hugh Freeze’s second season at Auburn could make or break his tenure. And SEC insiders aren’t pulling punches.
Braden Gall, speaking on the SEC Mike podcast, delivered a brutal reality check:
“Freeze is absolutely at the top of the list [of coaches on the hot seat]. Because you never can predict Auburn.”
And he’s not wrong. Auburn’s boosters don’t do patience. Two straight years of mediocrity isn’t just a disappointment—it’s a warning sign. The pressure is on, and time is running out.
That’s why Barber’s rise is more than just an interesting storyline—it might be Freeze’s best shot at turning things around. Auburn’s defense needs an enforcer, a game-changer, and a leader. If Barber can step into that role and deliver, he might not just save Auburn’s defense—he might save Hugh Freeze’s job.
The Final Verdict: Is Barber the Real Deal?
Football isn’t a one-man sport. Auburn’s success isn’t solely on DJ Barber’s shoulders. But make no mistake—his emergence could be a game-changer.
The question now is: Can he handle the pressure?
Auburn’s about to find out real quick if Barber is built for the spotlight. And if he is?
Best believe he might just be the wild card that keeps Hugh Freeze from getting run out of town.
