Auburn QB Robby Ashford reacts to Payton Thorne commitment: 'Iron sharpens iron'

The Auburn quarterback room got a big-time addition on Friday with the commitment of former Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne. But Robby Ashford, the top Tigers quarterback since the departure of TJ Finley, is welcoming the challenge.

About an hour after Thorne announced he’d head to The Plains, Ashford took to Twitter and shared his feelings. He’s not running from the challenge.

“Let’s work. Iron sharpens iron!!” he said, tacking on a requisite “War Eagle.”

Let’s work. Iron sharpens iron!! War Eagle🦅

— Robby Ashford (@robby_ashford) May 5, 2023

It’s seemingly a statement that Ashford isn’t looking to leave for the portal because of Thorne’s arrival, nor shy away from trying to win the starting job.

However, by nature of his advanced experience and production over the rest of the Auburn quarterbacks, Thorne could take an early lead in the QB1 competition.

Ashford spent two seasons at Oregon where he didn’t see the field. He transferred to Auburn ahead of the 2022 season and played in 12 games. He completed under 50% of his passes and threw as many interceptions as he did touchdowns, seven. Ashford has rushing upside, carrying for 710 yards and seven additional touchdowns.

Even with an offseason of improvement, he’ll have his hands full trying to beat out Thorne.

Thorne comes to Auburn with about as accomplished a resume as a transfer quarterback might have.

He played in 29 games for the Spartans and was the starting quarterback the past two seasons, including helming the Michigan State offense during an 11-2 campaign in 2021. Thorne tossed 27 touchdown passes that season. On his career, he has 6496 passing yards and 49 passing touchdowns to 24 interceptions and went 16-9 as the starter for Michigan State. Thorne left Michigan State ranking fourth all-time in program history in passing touchdowns, 22 shy of tying Connor Cook for the career program mark.

AuburnLive’s Justin Hokanson thinks his fit with the Tigers makes a lot of sense.

Thorne has proven his mettle against Power 5 competition, for one. And, as Hokanson noted in an On3 Roundtable with J.D. PicKell, he’s not destined to be a one-and-done at Auburn.

“Seems like an efficient player, an efficient quarterback that’s got some good potential to distribute the football and make good decisions. And honestly, that’s what Auburn needs right now. He’s got some mobility. He’s not some super athlete, but if you watched him at Michigan State, he showed some signs of being able to escape pressure and take off and run.

But Ashford just announced he’s certainly going to push the new arrival every bit of the way.