Auburn ‘could still find a graduate transfer’ at quarterback
Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Philip Montgomery “could still find a graduate transfer” ahead of the 2023 season — this, at least, according to AL.com’s Tom Green.
“Though Freeze has yet to find a quarterback in the transfer portal, that doesn’t mean he’s giving up on the endeavor,” Green wrote. “The post-spring portal window closes Sunday, and Auburn could still find a graduate transfer to bring in to compete for the starting job this summer, should one that meets Freeze’s criteria become available.”
Auburn has been linked thus far to Nebraska transfer portal entry Casey Thompson and Michigan State transfer portal entry Payton Thorne.
Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze hasn’t seen QB1 material in transfer portal targets thus far
Freeze pointed out at the AMBUSH tour stop in Huntsville on April 27 that many have pointed out transfer portal targets, but none have what he is looking for in a quarterback.
“Truthfully, I haven’t seen one yet that’s just, ‘Bam, that’s the no-brainer, and he’s ahead of the ones we have,'” Freeze said. “I know some (fans) may not want to hear that because they think it’s just an instant fix. I get the tweets’ trust me. Every time a quarterback goes in the portal, ‘There he is! There he is!’ Then I watch the film, and I’m like, ‘No, that’s really not the one I’m looking for.'”
Backing up Green’s proclamation, Freeze said that any day now, the perfect option could hit the transfer portal.
“There could be one that goes in tomorrow or the next day that I’m like, ‘Alright, this one makes sense,'” Freeze said. “So, that’s about as clear as I can put it, I think.”
Auburn Daily’s Zac Blackerby believes Thompson fits the bill of what Freeze is looking for.
“Auburn has been in the market for a quarterback,” Blackerby prefaced before saying, “Thompson’s experience, athleticism, and poise he could bring to an offense are all things Hugh Freeze has mentioned that he is looking for in a quarterback.”