Hugh Freeze expected to name Payton Thorne as Auburn's starting quarterback

We finally know who will start at quarterback for the Tigers. Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze has decided Payton Thorne has won the job and will open the year as the Tiger starter under center, according to a report from AuburnLive’s Justin Hokanson.

Auburn had a true battle on their hands this fall. After hiring a new coach in Freeze this offseason, the Tigers also needed to reset their quarterback situation. 2022’s majority starter, Robby Ashford, did return but was not awarded the starting job automatically — and Freeze even brought in Michigan State transfer and two-year starter at the Big Ten level, Payton Thorne, in the spring to compete for the job.

For info on both primary QBs involved in the competition, go ahead and read below:

More Robby Ashford, Payton Thorne

Ashford is an undeniable physical specimen at the quarterback position. At 6’4 and 220 pounds, he’s got the broad size of your typical NFL franchise QB, but can also move and bob like a running back when he has to take off with the ball himself, making him a real matchup nightmare under center. So, as a returning starter with that much talent, why wasn’t he inked into the depth chart as the 2023 starter all along?

Well, because while he was more exciting than the Tigers’ other options a year ago, his inconsistencies still plague his overall numbers. Ashford didn’t post strong passing numbers from week to week and also struggled to stay healthy throughout the year, a downfall of having a 6’4 frame while also liking to throw your body around as a runner. Plus, his play dwindled to end the year as he failed to top 100 passing yards in three of Auburn’s final four games.

Alas, he was just a first-year starter in his first year with Auburn… and under a head coach that got fired midway through the year. The circumstances were obviously tough, and Ashford at least brings talent plus a little experience to the table this time around as a QB option.

As for Payton Thorne, the former Michigan State starter was rung up after spring practice when Hugh Freeze decided he wanted some competition for Ashford. And he got it with a completely different and much more consistent option in Thorne.

In 2021, statistically his best season for the Spartans, Thorne completed 234-of-388 passes (60%) for 3,233 yards with 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 181 yards and four scores. He led Michigan State to an 11-2 record and a win in the New Year’s Six Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl with a 31-21 victory over No. 12 Pitt.

Thorne’s 27 touchdowns is a school single-season record, surpassing the previous record of 25 held by Kirk Cousins. In 2022, Thorne started 12 games and passed for 2,679 yards with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He completed 63% of his passes (242-of-387).