It seemed clear-cut that Hugh Freeze had landed the starting quarterback for the 2023 Auburn football season when Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne committed to the Plains — but 247Sports’ Robbie Weinstein framed the commitment in a way that made it seem as though Thorne is merely a hedge if Robby Ashford doesn’t progress as needed.
“Thorne may not rank in the top half of the SEC’s starting quarterbacks, but at least Auburn has a higher-floor option in case Ashford does not develop as much as hoped,” Weinstein wrote.
The comment about Thorne not being in the top half of SEC quarterbacks is apt considering the unknowns surrounding a new coach, offensive system, quarterback, and offensive line being installed, but it is interesting to hear Weinstein speak of Ashford as a potential starter at this point. After Freeze landed Thorne, he declared the quarterback position no longer a need in the transfer portal, and it was Ashford who seemed ready to embrace the uphill climb to become a starter again.
Let’s work. Iron sharpens iron!! War Eagle🦅
— Robby Ashford (@robby_ashford) May 5, 2023
Auburn football seemingly found the answer at quarterback either way
Following A-Day, it was clear to Freeze that there was no answer at quarterback at that point in time. Thorne was meant to be the solution to the Tigers’ QB issues, adding an accomplished Power Five signal-caller with big-game experience. Not only does Thorne have big-game experience, though. The former Spartan knocked off a College Football Playoff team in Michigan back during the 2021 season.
If Ashford is the starter, that means that Thorne’s presence worked to increase the competition in the QB room. The Hoover native is a known difference-maker improvising out of the pocket, but he just needs to improve his drop-back passing to become a potential starter on an SEC contender.