Hugh Freeze uncertain on timeline for deciding on starting quarterback

Auburn is one of the few high-level programs with a quarterback battle heading into fall camp. Hugh Freeze will oversee Robby Ashford, Holden Geriner, and Payton Thorne compete for the starting job. Ashford technically comes in as the incumbent but there is a reason Thorne was brought in from Michigan State following spring practice.

Besides updates on who will win the job, the most asked question about quarterback battles is the timeline. Freeze does not have one in mind at the moment, even if there is a plan in place. At some point, he wants to get down to two before ultimately making a final decision.

“I don’t know on that yet,” Freeze said. “But I do think you got to get it down from three to two fairly quick and give yourself two and a half, three weeks to find out who you’re going to roll out there.”

Auburn begins the year on Sept. 2 against UMass. The following week is a road nonconference game against Cal before heading back to the Plains Week 3 to play Samford. Even if the Tigers are fresh off a losing season, those are games expected to be wins.

Freeze could use the opportunity to have his quarterback competition bleed into the regular season. It might not be his preferred route. But if Auburn needs time to find the right guy, Freeze is willing to slow play the process.

“It may be three games into the season before we really know this is absolutely the guy we have to roll with when it’s crunch time,” Freeze said. “I hope it’s not that but it could be.”

Conveniently, Auburn faces its first SEC opponent of the season in game No. 4. A trip to College Station and Kyle Field against the Texas A&M Aggies is on the schedule for Sept. 23, a place you would hope to have a full-time starting quarterback.

No matter who Freeze winds up picking, he has confidence in the entire quarterback room. Whether Ashford, Geriner, or Thorne wind up the Auburn starter, Freeze believes the Tigers are going to win football games this fall.

“I’m not sure we can’t win games with several of them. We’re all concerned about that room and I get that. I totally get it. But I am, at the same time, cautiously optimistic that we can win some football games for several of those guys.”