The Auburn football program will host two transfer quarterbacks this week in their hunt to replace Payton Thorne
With Payton Thorne out of eligibility and Hank Brown and Holden Geriner in the NCAA transfer portal, it's go time for the Auburn football coaching staff. The Tigers struggled at the quarterback position this season after head coach Hugh Freeze's somewhat controversial decision to run it back with Thorne for a second year, and it is imperative the offense is in capable hands this year.
Freeze has said since he arrived on the Plains that the Tigers will always have four scholarship quarterbacks, and with incoming freshman Deuce Knight on the way, there will be two more spots to fill. Reports indicate that the Tigers are likely looking to take a bonafide starter and a strong QB2 option, and they will be hosting two transfers this week.
Wednesday, the Tigers are expected to host former Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy, according to 247 Sports. Murphy was a 4-star quarterback out of high school and signed with Texas in the recruiting class of 2022. After two seasons with the Longhorns, Murphy transferred to Duke. In his lone season with the Blue Devils, Murphy completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 2,933 yards and recorded 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
On Thursday, former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold will visit the Plains. A five-star QB out of high school, Arnold was the #1 recruit out of the state of Texas in the 2023 class. He played in seven games for the Sooners as a true freshman and got the starting nod in 2024 but ultimately ended up sharing time with his backup. This past season he racked up 1,421 passing yards and 12 touchdowns and threw only three interceptions. Arnold has also been linked to Mississippi State due to his relationship with Jeff Lebby, his former offensive coordinator.