Robby Ashford may not get the most snaps during the 2023 Auburn football season as the team’s backup to Payton Thorne, but Auburn Daily’s Joshua Collins foresees a good number of scenarios in which the Hoover native and 2022 starter will be able to contribute.
“Several options that Robby would be the ideal man under center for are short yardage and red-zone situations while also including a wide array of gadget plays,” Collins prefaced before saying, “These plays will likely include but are not limited to; screen passes with the ability to catch the opposing defenses out of position with a capable passer and someone who is dangerous when running in open field, gadget plays like the jet sweep and reverse jet sweep with Brian Battie likely being in the backfield to compliment Robby’s running ability with his own just to name a few.”
Ashford had two 100+-yard rushing performances during Cadillac Williams’ interim head coaching tenure last season, proving to be the biggest threat out of the backfield on several occasions. If Freeze can tap into Ashford’s big-play sensibilities in his limited usage, we could have one of the better backup QB seasons incoming.
Why Hugh Freeze chose Payton Thorne as Auburn football QB1
For those wondering why Hugh Freeze decided to go with Payton Thorne instead of Ashford as the Tigers’ starting quarterback, the Auburn football head coach explained that Thorne’s leadership and decision-making put the former Michigan State Spartan over the top.
“The reason Payton is getting the nod is the leadership ability and understanding of the offense, and he’s been in some really good battles and just seems like he was more efficient in decision-making to this point, not that the others were terrible by any means,” Freeze said (h/t ESPN). “It was not a slam dunk. I hope everyone will handle it right.”
Thorne has been in big games, which, unfortunately, Ashford never has been. Missouri at 11 am with Bryan Harsin’s job on the line doesn’t count. That alone is a major feather in Thorne’s cap as Freeze looks to have his Tigers winning games at a rate he’s used to on a personal level and what AU used to experience regularly during the Gus Malzahn era.