Hugh Freeze says the Auburn QB position is 'wide open' heading into the offseason
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After what transpired in the Music City Bowl, and what transpired all season from the quarterback spot, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze didn’t mince words when asked to assess the position heading into the offseason.
“It’s wide open,” he said shortly after Auburn’s 31-13 loss to Maryland.
The comments come after starter Payton Thorne finished 13-27 passing for 84 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the loss. Backup Holden Geriner entered in the fourth quarter and went 1-6 for eight yards and an interception, while true freshman Hank Brown finished 7-9 passing for 132 yards in garbage time.
For the season, Thorne finishes with 1,755 yards passing, 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added 525 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. But it was Brown that shined late in the Tigers’ blowout loss to the Terrapins.
“I think Hank has something to him, for sure. The guy threw 42 touchdowns and one pick in high school. There’s something to that,” Freeze said. “Hank has incredible poise. I see it every day when he’s running the scout team. He has very little protection and he stands in there and makes throw after throw after throw. I think he has incredible poise for a freshman for sure.
“He has great humility, wants to be taught, wants to learn, has a good IQ for the game, understands timing. Even the last throw, I thought the receiver should have kept coming, that’s what Hank anticipated. He anticipates throws really well. He’s got great poise for a freshman.”
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Meanwhile, Thorne says he’ll take the same approach he’s taken all along.
“Tom Brady talked about that was his mindset going into every single day because of how he earned the job. It was not expected. Like I said, that has to be your mindset every single year to be as good as you can. You aren’t competing against any other quarterbacks, that’s been my mindset in any other competition I’ve been in,” Thorne said.
“I’m doing my best to get better as a quarterback myself and get the guys around me better as well. That will translate into points and translate into wins. I’m excited for a full offseason with all the guys here in Auburn, with the coaches.”
Freeze said as Auburn started bowl practice that he believed in the potential of Thorne, adding that he was reluctant to dip into the transfer portal for a quarterback before the spring. Has his thought process changed?
“I’m constantly evaluating players, staff, everything,” Freeze said. “If we see that my evaluation has been wrong and we have to change gears to make us better, then those are the steps we should take. The quarterback position will be an interesting one in spring practice.”
