Hugh Freeze intends on sticking with Payton Thorne as Auburn’s top QB next year
It’s the “cool thing” to pursue a big-name quarterback in the transfer portal, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said. With every name that announced their intention to move, Freeze said people would text him saying to “throw the bag” at him — meaning to find a means to give a big pool of money to a transferring player.
That’s not Freeze’s strategy. He loves what he’s got already. So the plan for 2024 appears to be staying with Payton Thorne.
“I believe in Payton,” Freeze said during a Saturday press conference ahead of Auburn’s first bowl practice. “I believe in Holden (Geriner). I believe in Hank (Brown) and I believe the youngster (2024 QB commit Walker White) we’ve got coming. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong. That’s my belief.”
Thorne won a quarterback battle against Robby Ashford during fall camp, but maintained a quarterback rotation with Ashford heading into the first half of the season.
On Friday, news broke that Ashford intends to enter the transfer portal. Freeze confirmed the allegation Saturday, and said he wishes Ashford the best.
Freeze said he saw Thorne develop over the course of the season, particularly after he became more comfortable with the offense after an Oct. 21 loss to Ole Miss. Thorne transferred to Auburn from Michigan State after spring practices finished up, meaning he didn’t practice with Auburn until fall camp opened in August.
During Auburn’s first seven games, it was evident Thorne was still learning, and rotating with Ashford did not help.
Thorne completed the 2023 regular season completing just under 63% of his passes and throwing for 1,671 yards. He had 16 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He added 520 rushing yards, by far the most of his career.
Freeze reminded reporters about how successful Thorne was when he was surrounded by NFL talent on his offense. In 2021, Thorne led Michigan State to a Peach Bowl win hurling for more than 3,200 yards. He was accompanied by NFL starting running back Kenneth Walker III, second-round wide receiver Jayden Reed and future first-round receiver Keon Coleman.
Auburn didn’t have that type of quality. It showed.
Auburn has not aggressively pursued a quarterback in the transfer portal for that reason. Instead, Auburn placed its emphasis on wide receivers and offensive linemen around Thorne. Freeze said he believes if Auburn brought in a quarterback from the portal, it might prompt Thorne to transfer out.
Freeze also indicated that many transfer portal quarterbacks have found far more success in their second years at a new school compared to their first. Michael Penix was a Heisman finalist in his second year at Washington. Former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix joined Penix in New York City during his second year at Oregon.
Thorne may not develop into a Heisman finalist. But Freeze believes he can construct an offense around him to succeed.
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