Auburn Tigers News: Hugh Freeze on the QB competition, AU predicted to land former Georgia DB
![Dec 30, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) stands in the pocket Dec 30, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) stands in the pocket](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3262,h_1834,x_0,y_162/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/215/01hk09wh4rr64asdy6vq.jpg)
In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, head coach Hugh Freeze talks about the 2024 quarterback competition and a former Georgia DB is expected to transfer to Auburn.
As has been typical of the past few years, the Auburn football team once again ended their season without a bowl game win. Head coach Hugh Freeze got the Tigers to a bowl game in his first year on the Plains, but the game played out disastrously resulting in a 21-13 loss to Maryland.
Quarterback Payton Thorne, who has been tabbed QB1 ahead of the 2024 season by Freeze, struggled to make anything happen in the first three quarters, and both Holden Geriner and freshman Hank Brown saw game action in the fourth quarter. Surprisingly, Brown had the best performance of the day, passing for 132 yards and completing seven of nine passes.
According to Freeze, the bowl game changed things, and the quarterback competition will be wide open heading into spring practice, per The Montgomery Advertiser:
"It's wide open," Freeze said of the position. "I think Hank has something to him for sure. The guy threw 42 touchdowns and one pick his senior year in high school. There's something to that. I'm constantly evaluating. Players, staff, everything. If we see that my evaluation has been wrong and we have to change gears and reevaluate to make us better, then that's the steps we should make. That position should be an interesting one, certainly, in spring practice."
Auburn football predicted to land former Georgia DB
Despite the bowl loss, recruiting carries on, and the Tigers have now turned their attention fully to the transfer portal. According to Athlon Sports, the Tigers are the favorite to land former Georgia defensive back AJ Harris.
A former 5-star recruit and the #1 cornerback in the class of 2023, Harris played in seven games his freshman season and logged eight tackles. He has already been on the Plains for a visit, but has yet to announce his transfer destination.