Auburn football HC Hugh Freeze reveals transfer QB’s standout trait

The Auburn football program finally got their transfer quarterback from the second NCAA transfer portal window. Head coach Hugh Freeze made it pretty clear from the beginning of his tenure on the Plains that he was open to a transfer that would elevate competition in the room.

The biggest need in a quarterback for the Tigers was proven experience, because while there is real talent and promise in Robby Ashford and Holden Geriner, neither have the kind of experience needed to pull the Tigers out of the hole they dug themselves into over the past two seasons.

Freeze was clear on the fact that he wants consistent competition in the QB room, and that the addition of Thorne only made the position group better. Last season at Michigan State, Thorne completed 62.5 percent of his passes and threw for 2,679 yards and 11 touchdowns.

But his game experience isn’t the only thing that Freeze likes about Thorne. According to Auburn Rivals, the Tigers’ head coach is especially pleased with another trait of Thorne’s:

"“Leadership, No. 1,” said Freeze of what stands out about Thorne. “I know that everybody — we talk more about his stats or whatever — but I think that this football team at Auburn right now has missed some leadership, particularly on the offensive side. To get that in that room, I think only elevates everybody. The more good leaders you put around them, the more you get them to model that.”"

Freeze went on to talk about how well Robby Ashford is taking things, and that he’s ready to work and compete this summer. Thorne will also provide a solid role model for both Ashford and redshirt freshman QB Holden Geriner, someone that they can learn from as they continue to hone their skills.

Though Thorne is the likely favorite to land the Auburn football QB1 job, he’ll be competing this fall with Ashford, Geriner, and incoming freshman Hank Brown for the starting role.