With more quality at some of the most crucial offensive positions going into their second season under head coach Hugh Freeze, Auburn’s quarterback situation is unchanged, with veteran Payton Thorne returning as the expected starter. In his first season with the team, the Tigers’ signal-caller had a poor year, but Auburn pledged to contract him for the 2024 season when it backed away from the transfer portal recruiting fights that dominated the winter and spring windows. In his explanation, Freeze stated that he preferred his players’ growth above engaging in “bidding wars” for quarterbacks who would not mesh well with the team’s culture.
Freeze stated, “I believe in our quarterback room,” on McElroy and Cubelic in the morning. “Kent Austin, the quarterbacks coach, has my faith. Payton can succeed if the proper elements are in place, in my opinion. You may have caught a glimpse of it, but I don’t think we really had a whole package around him.
You have the following choices: go spend a million dollars on this person, or develop Walker, Hank, Holden, Payton, and Hank. I wanted to connect the dots, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do that. I’m not saying I won’t do it later, but as of right now, I believe the man to be proven. I’ve watched his footage from Michigan State a thousand times, and he was really outstanding when he had two NFL receivers there.”
In his first season with the Tigers, Thorne completed 61.1% of his throws for 1,755 yards and 16 touchdowns. Compared to his career-high grades he achieved during his three years at Michigan State, all of those scores were worse. For the third consecutive season, he also threw ten interceptions.
However, this offseason, Thorne’s supporting group is significantly stronger, especially at wide receiver. Three more high-profile wide receivers complete the group of recent high school recruits, led by five-star signee Cam Coleman. KeAndre Lambert-Smith, a transfer ranked 100th, is also expected to make an impact right away. The disappointment of losing out on a possible quarterback upgrade via the transfer portal is lessened by all of the new talent arriving.
Freeze also agreed with LSU coach Brian Kelly’s assessment that offering large NIL packages to transfers might not be a realistic strategy in any case.
“I just don’t feel comfortable with some of the bidding wars for some of the top guys in the portal,” Freeze stated. “Not that we’re not very fair, it’s just, I want to build the whole roster and try to do it with guys that fit, somewhat, your culture.”
Nevertheless, Auburn was able to find mates in 14 incoming transfers that were part of the No. 28-ranked class in the country. Rico Walker, a tight end, is the only other four-star prospect in that group, with Lambert-Smith being the best rookie.
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