Auburn newcomer reveals lofty goal for his career
Auburn football newcomer and recently-named starting quarterback Payton Thorne revealed the lofty goal he has for his Tigers career: being remembered on the Plains whenever it’s all said and done.
“When you win, people remember you,” Thorne said (h/t Rivals). “When you win a lot of games, people really remember you. Doing everything I can to put myself in a good position for success, which ultimately helps our team succeed. You leave a legacy by doing things the right way, by working hard. And so that’s what I’m focused on, and I believe that if I can accomplish that, then good things will come from that.
“My goal is just to win as many games as we can and to expect to win every time we walk out there, and I believe that starts with preparation. So that goes to the daily and the weekly goals of being prepared every week for when we step on the field, and for me personally when I take that snap behind center, knowing that I’ve done everything I can to be best prepared for that game, mentally, physically, emotionally, all that stuff.”
Payton Thorne on responsibility of being the starting QB for Auburn football
Thorne spoke with great reverence when discussing what he needs to bring to the Auburn football QB1 role during the 2023 season; assuring that he’s going to do everything he can to be the best he can be as well as not being consumed by the pressure.
“Obviously, it’s a big responsibility,” Thorne said. “We have a huge fan base. We have a lot of people that put a lot of time into this football program; a lot of people that care a lot about us. I take that responsibility very seriously, and I care about it more than anybody.
“I definitely understand the position that I’m in, and I’m blessed and thankful for that. And I think the best way to deal with that pressure is just to, for me and what I believe in, is I believe that my Heavenly Father’s in control and if I turn everything over to him, then I’ll be at peace with whatever happens as long as I do everything I can. I’m going to work as hard as I can.”
Payton Thorne is confident he can master Philip Montgomery’s Auburn football offensive sets
As Rivals’ Bryan Matthews points out, Thorne feels he can do a good job in first-year Auburn football offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery’s offense.
“Thorne believes he has the accuracy and quick-thinking ability to thrive in Auburn’s up-tempo, RPO offense led by head coach Hugh Freeze and offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery,” Matthews wrote.
Montgomery’s offense may actually be better-suited for Robby Ashford’s skillset, but it sounds as though Thorne is deadset on proving that he is the one who will have the playbook mastered in his mind and in being executed properly on the field.