Hugh Freeze explains decision not to add transfer quarterback

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze didn’t feel the need to add a quarterback through the transfer portal this offseason. While other programs around the country were loading up on new signal callers, the Tigers were content with the players they already had.

Payton Thorne is set to return as the starter for the 2024 season, while freshmen Hank Brown and Walker White provide a foundation for the future behind him. Speaking with the media at the Senior Bowl on Wednesday, Freeze explained that he prefers to develop his QBs from high school rather than chase the top portal prospects.

“I didn’t (go after a transfer quarterback),” the coach said. “I know the Twitter world had me taking everybody. That’s the hot thing to do now. If a quarterback went in the portal, I started immediately getting messages. ‘This is the one.’

“I just really like our room. I wanted to try to build with high school kids like Hank and Walker. Us try to develop those guys along with, obviously, the experience Payton brings. I kind of want to see that through.”

Thorne led the Tigers to a 6-7 finish and appearance in the Music Bowl this past season. He had his ups and downs, finishing with 1,755 yards, 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 61.1% completion percentage. Thorne also made an impact as a runner with 515 yards rushing and three scores on the ground.

Thorne struggled against some of the tougher defenses in the SEC, but showed his potential at times. He also has an impressive two-year stint as a starter at Michigan State prior to transferring to Auburn, totaling 6,501 yards, 49 touchdowns and 24 interceptions with the Spartans.

There is belief that with another year in the system, Thorne can regain the form that he showed in East Lansing. The Tigers did add on Cam Jackson, who played quarterback for Cal last season, but he is set to play receiver and add another weapon for Thorne along with Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis.

Then there’s the freshman whom Freeze hopes will one day lead the program themselves. White signed this offseason as a four-star recruit out of Little Rock Christian Academy (AR). He ranked as the No. 86 overall player and No. 7 quarterback in the 2024 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking,  a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Brown is a former three-star recruit who saw his first action in the bowl game, going 7-of-9 passing for 132 yards. Both players clearly have potential to one day take the reigns as Auburn’s starter, and with Thorne still around for one more year, Freeze believes his quarterback room is just fine.