Hugh Freeze calls transfer QB Payton Thorne likely 'more proven than any I've had before'
Auburn got their guy last weekend.
Payton Thorne, a transfer portal quarterback from Michigan State, committed to the Tigers on Saturday afternoon. Since then, there's been major buzz around the Tigers' football program.
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze spoke to the media at the 2023 Regions Pro-Am fundraiser in Birmingham, Alabama on Wednesday afternoon.
Freeze was asked by reporters what he and his staff liked about Thorne.
"His leadership, his experience, his toughness, his football IQ,” Freeze said. “I just think he's won football games in a very good conference, and I think it elevates that room. I've said it's all about competition and again I want to say: I'm excited about Robby (Ashford). I'm excited about Holden Geriner. I look forward to that competition that's going to make us all better if handled the right way. I think it definitely improved us."
According to Nathan King of 247Sports, Freeze believes that Thorne may be one of the most proven quarterbacks he's ever coached.
Thorne was a two-year starter at Michigan State before transferring to Auburn over the weekend. The Tigers were in search of a new starting quarterback, and the expectation among fans is that Thorne comes in and wins the job in fall camp with (relative) ease.
It's unknown how Hugh Freeze is going to play things out before Auburn takes the field vs UMass, but expect incumbent Robby Ashford to push Thorne for the job regardless.
Thorne finished an accomplished quarterback at Michigan State, setting single-season records for total yards, total touchdowns and passing touchdowns. He ranks fifth in career total touchdowns, fifth in career total yards, fourth in career passing touchdowns and third in single-season passing yards.
What will Auburn's ceiling be in 2023 underneath Thorne? Only time will tell.
The Auburn Tigers had ten players depart from the program during the spring transfer portal window, including three backup linebackers:
Quarterback TJ Finley
Wide receiver Tar'Varish Dawson
Wide receiver Landen King
Offensive lineman Colby Smith
Defensive lineman Jeffrey M'ba
Defensive lineman Tobechi Okoli
Defensive end Dylan Brooks
Linebacker Kameron Brown
Linebacker Desmond Tisdol
Linebacker Powell Gordon
Auburn has pulled in an impressive haul thus far during Hugh Freeze's first season on the Plains, currently sitting at No. 4 nationally in 247Sports' transfer portal class rankings.
Stay up to date on all of the Tigers' commitments, departures, and prospects for key positions at auburndaily.com.
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