Spring Diary with Robby Ashford: Responding to challenges, being grateful and more

Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford will be contributing a Spring Diary throughout spring camp to Auburn Live. The diary will consist of Ashford’s candid thoughts on a weekly basis as the sophomore battles to become the Tigers’ starting quarterback. The words below are Ashford’s words alone, as he and his teammates work through the first spring camp of the Hugh Freeze era.

April 13, 2023

“Man, that week leading up to A-Day was really good. We killed it on that Monday offensively. But the defense responded and got after us on Wednesday before the final scrimmage. They were all over us. It was just a good week of competitive days, then we walked through things that Friday before the game on Saturday.

“Heading into that A-Day game, I knew the conditions were going to be bad, but I wanted to mentally be in the best space possible. All the guys knew the conditions would be tough. I’m trying not to think too much into it, but with everything on the line, it’s hard not to. In the end, last day of spring ball, so my mindset has to be suck it up and go ball the best I can.

“As I was sitting there on Saturday night thinking about the day, I thought we did the best we could. It’s fun competing with this team. It’s a different world under Coach Freeze. It’s been a fun three months. I feel like everybody has bought in. Its going to pay off.

“I was reading in the media about Coach Freeze talking about challenging me and talking about how I’ve improved in some different areas and thinking about that, I wanted to talk about that. It was something I needed. I wasn’t the leader I should have been at times. Me being young, I didn’t know how to lead in the past because we had an older team and I didn’t want to step on any toes.

“He challenged me and I had some bad moments where I wasn’t a leader. He challenged me. I knew I had to step up to the plate. If I want to be the guy, I have to get out of my head and being too hard on myself. I told Coach Freeze I didn’t realize how if something effects me, it effects the whole team. For him to see something and tell me what to work on, that’s all you want in a coach. He’s up front and honest. I appreciate that. He’s going to tell you what you need to hear. It’s been great. I know our relationship is good.

“Now thinking about things after the spring is finished, I feel like I did well, but I really don’t know where things stand. Whether Coach Freeze brings in a transfer or not, we don’t know. But I can’t think about that. I’m a competitor. I just want to compete. That’s my focus. I just can’t worry about the rest of it. I have to keep growing, get better, stay the course, and know God has a plan for me. That’s it. I’m having fun, I love our coaching staff, I love this team, and so past that, what more do I want? Sometimes you have to stop and be grateful, and that’s what I’m trying to do right now.”

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