Damari Alston will not finish his college football career at Auburn. Hugh Freeze confirmed the departure of his (now former) team captain on Monday.
He tried to make it seem like Alston did something wrong.
I do not know the specifics of this situation but I do not think Freeze is telling the full story. The controversial college football coaching veteran has a history of lying and throwing his players under the bus.
Hugh Freeze blamed his (former) player.
Alston was rated as a three-star prospect in the recruiting Class of 2022. He chose to play at Auburn over 52 (!!) other offers from schools like Michigan State, Northwestern, LSU and Penn State.
The 5-foot-9, 214-pound running back totaled 162 total carries for 809 yards and six touchdowns during his three and a half years with the program. Freeze named him as a team captain for his leadership.
However, Alston is no longer with the team after the first six games of his senior year.
When asked what happened, his (former) head coach made it sound like it was something he did wrong. Freeze phrased his answer as if he personally kicked his team captain off of the team. It was Alston’s fault that he was dismissed because he “failed to meet the standards of the program.”
Hugh Freeze on the status of Auburn RB Damari Alston:
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) October 13, 2025
"Damari failed to meet the expectations and standards of our program. We love him. Wish him the best." pic.twitter.com/MmhWZwWB7D
I don’t know if that is true. And for Freeze to say Alston failed to meet the standards of the program while actively failing to meet the standards of the program at 3-3 is rather ironic.
What did Damari Alston do?
As things currently stand, we do not know the real story. There is only one side— Freeze’s side.
With that being said, it seems like Alston was just trying to look out for himself.
The senior running back played in only four of six games this season because of a shoulder injury. He is not at full health and Jeremiah Cobb emerged as the bell cow back in his absence.
In an effort to preserve another season of eligibility, Alston supposedly went to the coaching staff with a request to redshirt. His request was denied. That either led him to leave on his own accord or to be removed from the roster. Freeze alluded to the latter, as if it was a serious matter.
That does not appear to be the case. Phillip Dukes actively rejects what the Auburn head coach had to say.
“Failed to meet the expectations of the team? Yeah right. You literally made him a captain. He asked to redshirt, you didn’t kick him off. Just say the facts. He did everything. Great grades, team player. He was literally a captain and on the leadership committee,” wrote Dukes.
The full-time On3 staffer insists Alston did nothing wrong despite unfounded internet rumors of a fight.
“He asked to redshirt. I’m sure not one person on that team or in that building will say he broke a rule, or was late to anything. [What Freeze said] was worded to hurt him. If you feel like he quit so be it, but it was worded like he broke a team rule or was dismissed for behavior,” Dukes continued.
If this is what happened, Hugh Freeze owes Damari Alston an apology. He loves nothing more than to throw his own players under the bus as if he is most holy.