AL.com questions Hugh Freeze's two-QB Auburn football system's effect on Payton Thorne in 2023

AL.com's Ainslie Lee took Payton Thorne's side in raising the question about the effect Hugh Freeze's two quarterback system had on the first-year Auburn football QB transfer from Michigan State in 2023.

"Despite being named the starting quarterback ahead of the 2023 season, it really wasn’t until midway through the season that Thorne seemed to have complete ownership of the offense as he and former Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford spent the first half of the year sharing snaps," Lee wrote.

"The funky rotation would’ve left any quarterback wondering if his head coach really had as much confidence in him as he led on."

Robby Ashford scoring three touchdowns in the Tigers' opener set the stage for an uncomfortable shadow hovering over Thorne. Not only had Ashford become "Redzone Robby" but he was coming off final four games in 2022 under Cadillac Williams that inspired hope among the fanbase that the Hoover product could start.

When he barely got an opportunity under Freeze and Thorne struggled early against Cal, Texas A&M, and LSU, No. 1 became one of the most unpopular QB1s to his fanbase in the country. Things changed progressively over the season, but particularly when Thorne ran over a Razorbacks defender at Arkansas en route to a game-opening touchdown that preceded a 48-10 win.

Auburn football solidly behind Payton Thorne in 2024

Some are predicting Walker White usurping Thorne as QB1, but nothing from A-Day gave the impression that any QB was a serious contender to become the starter over the Naperville, Illinois product.

Of course, Hank Brown looked the best of any QB who played during AU's 2023 Music City Bowl matchup against Maryland, so maybe something unforeseen can happen.

But Thorne is the guy right now until further notice. Freeze has mainly spoken of him as the team's leader, and he's gotten the first-team reps this summer. He and he alone will determine what the position looks like come the crux of the Tigers' conference schedule.