Auburn football spring game 2024: What to Watch For

Hugh Freeze and Auburn return to The Plains to put a cap on 2024 spring football with the annual preseason scrimmage.

Sep 17, 2022; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) carries the ball. / John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Hugh Freeze had his ups and downs in his debut season at Auburn, but some of the downs included a meager passing offense that was the SEC's worst and a scoring attack that was the league's second-worst, culminating in a 6-7 outing that included a 21-point loss to New Mexico State.

Here's how you can watch, and what you should watch for, as Auburn returns to the football field to put a bow on spring practice in the annual A-Day preseason scrimmage this weekend.

Auburn football spring game 2024 schedule

When: Sat., April 6
Time: 1 p.m. Central
TV: SEC Network+

Payton Thorne and QB depth

Hugh Freeze has confirmed that Thorne is Auburn's starting quarterback, but there's definitely room for improvement: playing over three quarters of the offensive snaps and starting all but one game, he finished with 1,755 yards passing and posted 6.6 yards per throw last season.

Who is behind him on the depth chart? Robby Ashford transferred to South Carolina, leaving Walker White, Hank Brown, and Holden Gernier as QB2 options. None have a career TD pass, and if Thorne doesn't take an important step forward, Auburn could take another look in the portal.

Wide receiver watch

Freeze made the receiver position key to his recruiting process and Auburn signed four in 2024, including two in the top 15 national WR rankings: Perry Thompson, the No. 12 wideout, and especially Cam Coleman, a five-star ranked No. 2 at the position and the No. 4 overall prospect, based on a consensus of national recruiting rankings.

Auburn needs some downfield targets for Thorne to work with. Bryce Cain is the No. 26 ranked receiver in the 2024 class, and Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis caught six touchdown passes while averaging over 17 yards per grab a year ago.

Secondary auditions

Much of Auburn's back seven appears to be in place, at least on paper. At cornerback, Keionte Scott and Kayin Lee look set. At safety, it's Jerrin Thompson and Caleb Wooden. Champ Anthony is ready to take the slot role.

But watch for the backups in the secondary, with Colton Hood a favorite for the No. 3 corner position with Alabama transfer Antonio Kite in the mix alongside JC Hart, Tyler Scott, and Terrance Love, among others.

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