Payton Thorne is the 'battery' to Auburn's offense in 2023

Auburn made an upgrade to the quarterback room this spring, bringing in two-year starter Payton Thorne from Michigan State. And the Tigers will ultimately go as he goes, according to On3’s J.D. PicKell.

Running the RPO-heavy offense employed by Hugh Freeze, the quarterback is integral to keep the offense humming along by making consistent reads on those plays. If Thorne can get up to speed on that, he’ll key in success for the entire Auburn offense.

“But he’s the battery to this offense at Auburn,” PicKell said. “Make no mistake about it. The offense under Hugh Freeze at Auburn will go as Payton Thorne goes. Did a lot through the portal. Have one of the top portal classes this cycle, Payton Thorne being a part of that portal class. But if Payton Thorne doesn’t bring his A game, if he doesn’t allow the offense to operate because he’s not up to speed or he’s making mistakes, he’s not consistent, whatever it ends up being, they will go as Payton Thorne goes.”

Thorne’s best college season came two years ago in 2021, when Michigan State went 11-2 and won the Peach Bowl. Kenneth Walker III was a main reason for much of that success, but Thorne provided a perfect complement in the passing game.

That season, Thorne completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 3232 yards and 27 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. He’s also a functional runner, though not one to design plays around. Thorne regressed slight in 2022 as the Michigan State offense struggled. He improved his completion percentage a few points to 62.5 percent, but has just 19 touchdowns to 11 interceptions and 2679 passing yards.

Even still, he’s more experienced and accomplished than any quarterback Auburn had on the roster.

If he can provide the consistent, competent play he’s given Michigan State, PicKell is bullish on where he take the Tigers.

“But there was newfound optimism when Payton Thorne decided he was going to come to The Plains. And for good reason. You know what you’re getting with him. He was a starter, he’s had solid production throughout the course of his career,” PicKell said.

And with that optimism and hope around Auburn comes pressure, which Thorne will have to navigate as the Tigers seek to make a big jump in Year 1 under Freeze.

“If they want to have success in ’23, looking right at Payton Thorne and saying, ‘Alright, you’re the batteries, we need you to have this whole thing humming.’ So a lot of pressure on Payton Thorne, I think, in a positive way,” PicKell said. “Again, pressure is privilege and Payton Thorne is going to bear a fair amount of that in ’23 at Auburn.”