Auburn Tigers News: Derrick Nix's offensive goal, Payton Thorne on Cam Coleman's mindset

In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, Derrick Nix has set high expectations for this year's offense and Payton Thorne explains what he likes most about Cam Coleman.
Auburn Tigers wide receiver Cam Coleman (8) celebrates his touchdown catch during the A-Day spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, April 6, 2024.
Auburn Tigers wide receiver Cam Coleman (8) celebrates his touchdown catch during the A-Day spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, April 6, 2024. / Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK
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In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, Derrick Nix has set high expectations for this year's offense and Payton Thorne explains what he likes most about Cam Coleman

Last year's Auburn football offense was basically a wreck, but new offensive coordinator Derrick Nix is expecting to turn things around this fall. A lot of problems last season were rooted in head coach Hugh Freeze's inability to jump in and assist with the offensive gameplan due to lack of familiarity with the language and system.

Freeze and Nix will be working closely together on the offense this season, alongside quarterbacks coach Kent Austin, and Nix has high expectations for his side of the ball according to fifth-year senior tight end Brandon Frazier.

"(Nix) has one of our goals to score 40 points a week," tight end Brandon Frazier said, per Auburn Undercover. "I think that's a real thing. I know it's asking a lot out of us but I think we can do it with all the firepower we have on offense. I'm hoping we score a lot of touchdowns and kick some people's butts."

While the players are locked in and think this goal is attainable, it's certainly a lofty goal for a team that hasn't averaged more than 30 points since 2019.

Payton Thorne explains what he likes most about Cam Coleman

Freshman wide receiver Cam Coleman is getting all the hype heading into the 2024 season and he's putting in the work to make sure he can live up to the high expectations. Though he has been the crown jewel of the Tigers' 2024 class, Coleman has remained humble and repeatedly emphasized he plans to work hard and be the best he can for his team.

These qualities have been noticed by his teammates, including quarterback Payton Thorne, who described a situation during a throwing session over the summer where Coleman made a mistake and got super angry about it, which reminded Thorne of his younger self.

"I just enjoy playing with him so much because I see in him a lot of my younger self and how pissed off I used to get if I messed something up that I knew and stuff like that,” Thorne said, per AL.com. “Cam is an awesome guy. I really enjoy playing with him and enjoy just hanging out with him, honestly. I feel like we’re very like-minded. He’s a competitor and that’s probably what I like most about him, honestly."