As Auburn (2-1) readies itself for the start of the college football gauntlet known as SEC conference play, it appears as if the Tigers may have found their quarterback of the future.
Redshirt freshman Hank Brown was given the start against New Mexico last Saturday, the first start of his collegiate career, and he thoroughly impressed in Auburn’s 45-19 victory.
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Brown completed 17 of his 25 passing attempts for 235 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. One of his two third-quarter touchdown passes came when he rolled out of the pocket and, under heavy pressure, rifled a pass to tight end Micah Riley in the back of the end zone.
Starting fast in the 2nd Half 🎯@Hankb_15 + @micah_r_d = 6️⃣ https://t.co/DhWzCDAMd1 pic.twitter.com/ZhBsDPaEwb
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) September 15, 2024
Brown was interviewed on the field by ESPN moments after the game, and instead of talking about himself leading his team to a win in his first career start, he pointed to his Heavenly Father.
“Honestly, to God be all the glory,” he said. “Our (team’s) theme this week was, ‘Soli Deo Gloria’ and it means, ‘God gets all the glory.'”
It is a Latin phrase that became a central refrain of the Protestant Reformation. Brown continued: “Going into this game, it’s special because everything that we have is a gift from God. So I just want to give Him the glory.”
.@Hankb_15 tonight ↓
🎯 17/25 · 235 passing yards
🎯 4 touchdowns pic.twitter.com/3Afd5z0Ufi— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) September 15, 2024
In his press conference following the game against New Mexico, second-year Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze had already decided to name Brown as the starter for Auburn’s SEC opener at home against Arkansas (2-1) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
A native of Nashville, Brown played high school football for former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer at Lipscomb Academy. Brown was used sparingly as a junior, but he committed to Liberty University when Freeze was the head coach there. Following a breakout senior season in which he led Lipscomb to a state championship, Brown was persuaded by Freeze — Auburn’s new head coach — to switch his commitment to the Tigers.
“I’ve always felt like he had this ‘it factor’ to him as an individual,” Freeze told AL.com on Monday. “… I’ve always had this kind of sneaking belief that he had something to him, and now we’re getting ready to find out at what level.”
Brown was a true freshman last season and made his only appearance in Auburn’s 31-13 loss to Maryland in the Music City Bowl, completing seven of nine passes for 132 yards. He was named the backup to begin 2024, yet after Payton Thorne struggled in Auburn’s Week 2 loss to California, Freeze made the switch to Brown.
Freeze found true forgiveness in the grace of God after a series of moral failures led to his firing at Ole Miss, and since his return to coaching with Liberty in 2019, he has heavily incorporated his faith into the way he’s managed his teams.
Freeze’s unashamed reliance on God’s grace and the faith-based program he runs are two of the factors that made Brown want to play for Freeze. The two share not only a love for football but also a deep-rooted faith in Jesus.
Brown sports a tattoo on his right biceps which cites the Bible verse Acts 20:24, which reads, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
Brown cites the same verse in his Instagram bio, while in his X bio he cites Jeremiah 29:11.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
“I try to keep my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the center of my life, and it’s something that correlates into my entire life,” Brown said a year ago on the “Locked On Auburn” podcast. “As far as football goes, I’m playing football and God’s put me in this situation to glorify and honor Him and to use my platform to do that.
“This is a great opportunity to pour into my teammates. Any praise or glory that I get, it’s not me. God has blessed me with what I have.”
With Freeze’s blessing, Brown took the lead last year as a true freshman in beginning a team Bible study, and he’s been thrilled with the Christian mentors he’s surrounded himself with around campus and around the Tigers’ locker room.
“No. 1 for me is my faith and everything correlates around that,” Brown said on the podcast. “That’s a huge part of my life, and I’m trying to exemplify that — love others the way that Jesus loves.”
With the start of SEC competition on Saturday, Brown will have his best opportunity yet to exemplify the love of Christ on a national level. He can play freely, knowing his eternal destiny is secure forever in his Father’s arms.
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