Q&A: Payton Thorne feels 'extremely confident,' and 'way better' about RPO's in the offense

AUBURN – Quarterback Payton Thorne was the last player to interview with the media ahead of A-Day and closes out the spring. He was candid and gave some important intel with the offense when speaking on Thursday.

Q: How has it gone so far this spring for you?

THORNE: “I thought it’s been pretty good. Feeling good with where we’re at. I feel like we have gotten a decent amount of stuff, a good part of the offense in. We have what Coach Freeze and Coach Nix want, so I like where things are heading right now.”

The offense

Q: How different is it having Freeze and Nix being similar, knowing each other, being on the same page?

THORNE: “A lot different. Just the energy that Coach Nix has brought and same with Coach Freeze, obviously he is more involved and getting his stuff in that he wants. Those two are taking charge. The way we practice is a lot better. I feel a ton better, we’re more efficient, we are faster, paying more attention to detail–that is a word that keeps coming up a lot. The buzz in the facility is high right now, it feels good.”

Q: When the RPO becomes a major part, how much does that change an offense?

THORNE: “Yeah we changed it about halfway through spring ball. Coach Freeze made a change and did what he is comfortable with. What he really wanted is what I am most comfortable with as well. I was super happy to see that and since that day I feel like the RPO game has been really efficient. I feel very comfortable with it, with whichever RPO is called right now. We have a lot of different ones that are meant for different parts of the field. At different times and against different coverages obviously. Getting on the same page with him and what he’s seen has been really productive for us and I feel great about it.”

Q: You mentioned a change from Freeze, was that mostly just more RPO’s?

THORNE: “It was RPO. Kind of we’re rolling with and hanging our hat on. It was a small change, it wasn’t big, but it made a big difference so it was exciting.”

Q: Is this like what you did at Michigan State or even further back in high school?

THORNE: “It was similar, I definitely did some at Michigan State, but also that is what I did in high school, too. I have a ton of reps at it and seeing it. It’s really simple, it makes things easy. There’s not indecisiveness. In football there’s always a little bit of grey area, but I feel like this is the best way to eliminate the most grey possible.”

Receivers

Q: After basically a full spring, what have you seen from the young/transfer receivers?

THORNE: “Yeah, you know Cam (Coleman) has been great. He’s just getting better and better and take an even bigger jump this summer. I know how hard he works. Bryce (Cain) is doing a good job. Then our two transfers have been good, too. Rob (Lewis) has been outstanding inside and outside. He’s made plays at both. Then, Sam (Jackson), he has played both as well and looks really good. He’s going to keep getting more and more comfortable as times goes on.”

Q: We hear about the talent from Coleman, but what stands out the most about him?

THORNE: “I mentioned in the winter just working out with him, seeing how hard he works, all the routes he runs, I have compared him a lot to Keon Coleman. They’re similar body types, they work really hard at their craft. The best guys that I have been around, Keon Coleman, Jayden Reed, Kenneth Walker–those guys work their tail off and he (Coleman) has that in him. And, he’s a cool guy, fun to hang out with.”

Different guy

Q: Luke Deal says he sees a different guy in you. Do you feel different this spring?

THORNE: “I was talking to my dad on the phone a couple weeks back. I was telling him the last couple of weeks my confidence has been really rising. Seeing it all come together, I am around familiar guys, I am hearing familiar things from Coach Nix and what he preaches. I feel the best that I have felt honestly since 2021 right now. I feel extremely confident. We’re not even game planning right now and I’m feeling really good. I’m excited to get into a game plan with Coach Freeze, Coach Austin, and Coach Nix and put that together. I can only imagine that the confidence is going to rise for me and for the rest of our guys through the summer. I feel really good right now.”

Q: Coach Freeze said Tuesday that you’re the No. 1 guy going into fall, but also that the competition is tightening up some. Are you comfortable with where all of that stands for you?

THORNE: “Yeah, I’m comfortable. Like I said, I am very confident right now.”

Q: Do you think your knowledge of the offense will help you lead and improve?

THORNE: “I would say so, I feel really good with where my knowledge is and I can learn more also. Just doing what I can to contribute to our offense. I think I’m going to get some more of my knowledge on the field, checking stuff. We have talked about that upstairs and I am confident we will get to that point.”

Q: What are your plans for the summer when you finish with spring?

THORNE: “We will have a couple of weeks here of just discretionary workouts. Number one, really attack the weight room these next couple of weeks and try to get my body in better shape than it is now. I feel like I am really making good strides in that area. Finishing off April in that fashion.”

The roster

Q: How much fun is the current roster with what you’re bringing back and adding to the mix?

THORNE: “It’s been a lot of fun for me and I was thinking about this yesterday and the day before.. All of the guys that you get frustrated with, like, ‘Why are you–why don’t you want to be here? Why don’t you want to work out?’ and stuff like that.. Most of those guys are gone. That has been really refreshing. I feel like most of the guys, the ones who are here now want to be here and want to play well on the field. The energy has been off the charts at practice so far. The young guys and early enrollees have been great because they are a lot of good guys. Coach Freeze has recruited those guys for a while and they’re good people. They work hard and they’re the guys that you want in your program.”

Q: Who is the guy on the other side of the ball that fans may not know about or need to pay attention to come fall?

THORNE: “You know, Kay Lee, fans know about him. He’s kind of known. Colton Hood is another guy that comes to mind. He works his butt off in the offseason and I know he will work hard in the summer. I’d say Dorian (Mausi), huge fan of Dorian. I worked out with him one time and after that I said that’s it, I am a big fan of that guy. The energy, the attention to detail, he takes care of his body–he’s a professional and I respect that a lot. I am a big fan of his.”