Auburn football QB Payton Thorne gaining confidence from playmaking wide receivers

Returning quarterback Payton Thorne is impressed by the revamped wide receiver room and offensive scheme.

One of the reasons that the Auburn football offense struggled so mightily during the 2023 season was the lack of success in the passing game. While quarterback Payton Thorne was partly to blame, there were very few receivers who were able to win battles and make plays.

This year, things are already looking different according to the returning QB1. Of course, the level of talent has increased with guys like incoming freshmen Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson paired with the veteran presence of guys like transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith. The increased talent combined with the new offensive scheme and coaching from Derrick Nix have put the Tigers in a good position heading into the fall.

Thorne reports that the receivers are making big plays at practice and inspiring confidence in their QB.

“Ultimately, it comes down to actually doing it. You have to do it in practice before you get trust in the game,” Thorne said, per Saturday Down South. “We’ve got guys right now that are doing it in practice and going and making plays. You go, ‘OK, that’s a big-time play right there.’ Or, ‘Hey, you caught that ball. That wasn’t a very good throw — that was at your knees — but you caught it.’ … I definitely have more confidence right now in our guys and what we’re doing, and that also comes down to the coaching as well.”

Thorne went on to say he is most impressed by the receivers' attention to detail and their awareness, especially when things are on the line in third-down situations.

“Like, get to 12 yards. It’s not at 9. It’s at 12. Get to 12 yards,” Thorne said. “There is a lot more confidence right now. I trust the guys we have out there and they’re making plays on the ball.”