After speculation throughout the offseason that new head coach Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers could make an addition to the quarterback room, it became official today with Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne announcing his commitment to play for Auburn.
Thorne is an experienced QB who started 12 games for the Spartans this past season, who went 5-7. He completed 62.5% of his passes for 2,679 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. It was a step back this season for Thorne, who has been Michigan State’s QB for the past two years and had a better 2021, throwing over 3000 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The team also went 11-2 in 2o21.
You have to figure Freeze is not bringing Thorne in to sit on the bench. He immediately becomes the most talented quarterback on the roster and has shown the capability to run an efficient offense in a difficult conference. Barring a major surprise, Thorne is going to be starting for Auburn at the start of the year.
While Robby Ashford and Holden Geriner remain on the roster, Thorne is both a more experienced, and flat out a better quarterback. The theory that Auburn’s QB was not yet on the roster proved to be true. Hugh Freeze has his mam.
