Assessing Auburn's Passing Game Midway Through Spring Practice

Evaluating Auburn's quarterbacks and pass catchers

With Auburn's spring practice roughly halfway complete, it's time to define where the Tigers' passing game is relative to last season.

For the 2023 season, CFB Stats has Auburn's passing attack at 124th in the nation with 162.2 yards per game. While it's not going to be an overnight change, there's hope that another year in the offensive system, recruiting top prospects like Rivals' #7 player Cam Coleman, as well as bringing in talented offensive tackle Percy Lewis from the Transfer Portal via Mississippi State, will fuel the Tigers' 2024 passing attack.

Beginning at quarterback, here's a view of where Auburn stands.

Quarterback

Key Player: Payton Thorne. He's the clear No. 1 until otherwise proven because he's by far the most comfortable, especially with post-snap reads. He usually makes quicker decisions and fewer mental errors than the younger quarterbacks, and that's the norm.

There's no shortcut to being a starting quarterback. Much of even being average, let alone good, is about a passer's live in-game reps, i.e. experience from actual games. Thorne has thrown 687 passes during his college career thus far. He will be hard to unseat from the starting job.

Like it or not, Thorne's experience is arguably the most important trait for a signal-caller. He's also mobile and provides the ability to extend plays (the backups are doing a good job in this area as well). Is Thorne better than last season? Probably, but it's also understood that many Auburn fans want to see a different starter behind center. That's pretty unlikely going by the first half of spring ball. 

Depth: Any three of Holden Geriner, Hank Brown, and Walker White could ascend to the #2 position this fall. Watching each of them multiple times, arm strength, accuracy, and their in-play decision-making vary quite often. That's also backed up by coaching reactions, incompletions, turnovers, and how long it takes them to pass the football after the snap. 

In short, they are all learning and sometimes struggle with blitzes and/or defensive looks they have not seen before. It's part of the process. Do not expect a clear-cut No. 2 quarterback to be announced earlier than August. That's par for the course.

Tight End

Key Player: Rivaldo Fairweather is a unique target. Yesterday, from a pass thrown by Thorne, he made a tremendous 50-50 ball catch from a seam pass. Even in heavy traffic, Fairweather's ability to make clutch plays probably makes him the No. 1 target, at least for now, at either tight end or wide receiver.

Depth: Having fifth-year senior Luke Deal in the mix at tight end is huge for Auburn. He's consistent and would start at many Power 4 programs. Each of Auburn's quarterbacks finds him during the offense versus defense periods of practice. Good sign. Auburn is fortunate to have Fairweather and Deal as a one-two punch.

Wide Receiver

Key Player: Cam Coleman. He has a second-level burst that's not normal. During a post route, he slipped during his break. Once Coleman regained his footing, he ran by the safety with ease. Touchdown. 

Coleman will learn the offense in time. For now, it's about raw talent and want to. Coleman possesses traits that Auburn needs to continue to recruit and cannot be taught. He has the size, length, and open-field speed to be an NFL player.

Depth: Several pass catchers could be the key for this next season. No freshman, Coleman included, is going to raise up Auburn's passing attack by himself. At a minimum, at least two more receivers must be consistent threats, especially on money downs like third down and goal. It is too early to say which players will be on that level just yet.

That being said, Cal transfer Sam Jackson V is a player to watch. He flashes. As for the receivers overall, there are some signs of improvement.

Camden Brown caught a 50-50 ball touchdown yesterday. It should be considered a tremendous effort and catch. Everyone needs to witness more of that. Here's why.

Yesterday also saw a plethora of check-down passes by each of the quarterbacks because wide receivers are not getting open often enough. Some of that also goes on the tight ends, too.

One could argue that the biggest question for Auburn's 2024 offense is quite clear. Will receivers consistently separate from defensive backs? Right now, that answer is no.

There's a long way to go for Auburn's passing offense. Let's see how much more they gel between now and the end of spring ball and reassess their progress.