Auburn football: Hugh Freeze says Payton Thorne ‘definitely improved us’

After months of perusing the NCAA transfer portal, Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze has finally added a more experienced quarterback to the roster. The competition all spring was between TJ Finley, Robby Ashford, and Holden Geriner, but with Finley in the portal and former Michigan State QB Payton Thorne on the Plains, things look different.

Though Robby Ashford spent most of last season as the Tigers’ starting quarterback, it has always been known that he was a young athlete with a lot of developing to do. Ashford said himself that he has improved since Freeze’s takeover of the program, and that the new head coach has had a profound impact on his mental state in regards to football.

On the other hand, Holden Geriner continues to look extremely impressive during practices and scrimmages, but has hardly any real game experience under his belt. With the challenges facing Freeze during his first season with Auburn football, he was looking for a proven quarterback that has experience leading an offense and winning games at a high level.

According to Freeze, the veteran QB will bring a lot to the Plains, per Auburn Undercover:

"“His leadership, his experience, his toughness, his football IQ,” Freeze said of what he and the staff liked about Thorne. “I just think he’s won football games in a very good conference, and I think it elevates that room. I’ve said it’s all about competition and again I want to say: I’m excited about Robby (Ashford). I’m excited about Holden Geriner. I look forward to that competition that’s going to make us all better if handled the right way. I think it definitely improved us.”"

Not only will the addition of Thorne elevate the offense, but it also provides the opportunity for Ashford and Geriner to have a role model—someone who has more experience that they can learn from as they continue to work on their skills.