Chris–
Your body is looking for slack within the system to allow you to squat even though you have tight tissues.
Pointing your toes outward creates slack in the system to address tight ankles and or a hip issue.
Determining if the main cause of the issue is with your hips or your feet will dictate which issue you hit first.
Squat Quick Test: Is it your Ankles or Hips?
Foot Position Test: Breaking Diane

Case Study: Tight Ankles = Bad Squatting
Episode 54: Pinchy Ankles and Weak Feet