247 Sports analyst shares controversial Auburn football quarterback hot take
Following SEC Media Days, 247 Sports shared hot takes about every SEC football team heading into the 2024 season
Over four days, all 16 head coaches converged at the Omni Dallas for the 2024 SEC Media Days. The league welcomed two new teams and several new head coaches ahead of the unprecedented 2024 season.
It was Hugh Freeze's second year representing Auburn football at SEC Media Days, and his time slot was not until after lunch on Thursday. He talked about the powerful impact of the Auburn Family, the improved talent on the roster, and the strong chemistry that exists among this year's coaching staff before answering questions from the media.
One of the hottest topics surrounding Auburn football this year is Freeze's choice to run it back with quarterback Payton Thorne instead of bringing in someone from the transfer portal. Freeze has repeatedly said that he is extremely comfortable with starting Thorne, and that he feels like the coaching staff has done a good job of surrounding him with weapons to make his job easier.
247 Sports' Brad Crawford isn't buying it, though, and believes that by the end of the season Payton Thorne will no longer be QB1 for the Auburn Tigers.
"Hugh Freeze was quick to compliment each of his four scholarship quarterbacks coming out of spring — including his incumbent — but the belief around Auburn is 2024 signee Walker White is the future of the program under center. Could he be the guy for Auburn later this year if Payton Thorne has another up-and-down campaign? That's a lot to ask for a true freshman. Freeze is determined to show everyone he knows best at the position, much of the reason he's sticking with Thorne heading into fall camp and didn't take a portal signal-caller this cycle. Hank Brown and Holden Geriner are battling, too."
It's called a hot take for a reason, but Freeze also spoke about how vital the opening five home games will be to the success of the team, and if Thorne is unable to perform it's completely possible one of the other guys is brought in.