JD PicKell reveals the next step for Robby Ashford after Payton Thorne transfer

Auburn added to its quarterback room with former Michigan State starter Payton Thorne, which left questions about Robby Ashford.

However, Ashford will stay put at Auburn and On3’s J.D. PicKell suggested what the returning quarterback could do to maintain his starting spot. Prior to Thorne, Ashford looked like the guy.

But now it’s a full fledged competition at Auburn between Ashford and Thorne.

“For Robby Ashford in this quarterback battle of sorts to me, it’s all about maximizing his strengths and then minimizing the weaknesses,” PicKell said on The Hard Count. “Sounds simplistic, but what do we mean by that? When it comes to the weaknesses from Robby Ashford, I don’t think it’s a matter of ability. Like I don’t question him being able to throw the football effectively. I definitely don’t question him being able to run the football effectively. 

“But the weakness for him in my mind is consistency throwing the football because a 55% completion percentage, that ain’t gonna cut it. That’s not going to get the job done. That’s probably why Payton Thorne transfers to Auburn.” 

PicKell mentioned Auburn’s heavy run-pass-option offense needing consistent throwing due to a strong Tigers’ backfield. The quarterback, whether it’s Ashford or Thorne, has to beat the defense.

“So when we run the ball effectively, when we get four yards, five yards, six yards, three carriers in a row, guess what? The linebackers start to creep up,” PicKell said. “So what does that mean? It’s set up for us to throw the football. We can’t miss when we have the defense setup. We have to be consistent. 55% completion percentage that is not consistent. So for Robby Ashford, you want to make a statement, you want to fight for your job? Be consistent throwing the football. It sounds simplistic, but it is required in this scheme. They’re gonna run the ball well. Can you be consistent throwing the football?”

Ashford was a little more turnover prone than Thorne was at Michigan State last season.

“Robby Ashford last year, put the ball on the ground nine times, threw it to the other team seven times, cannot have that,” PicKell said, “Ball security is job security. I don’t think this requires too much more analysis. But if you want to have a chance for us to trust you as a starting quarterback, don’t give the ball away to the team because we got a really good backfield here. We’ve got some guys that can tote the rock for us. 

“If you don’t crash this car, we’re gonna have a chance. We went out and got some guys through the transfer portal on the offensive line for a reason. We want to run the football if you give it to the other team, we don’t have a shot. And Robby Ashford too many times a season ago did that. So consistent through fall camp, I want to see him take care of the football. I don’t think that’s a stretch. It sounds cliche, but it’s cliche for a reason because it’s true.”

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Thorne and Ashford will battle it out all summer long prior to a big fall for Auburn football.