One Auburn football quarterback was excluded from the group of signal-callers Hugh Freeze allegedly likes; with 247Sports’ Cooper Petagna saying the Tigers have three QBs the coaching staff allegedly likes despite having four arms in the room.
“He’s a wild card," Petagna said of Walker White. "Auburn is in a pretty comfortable position with Payton Thorne. They have three guys that they like. Walker White is a guy who is just oozing with physical traits and upside. He’s a guy that we saw as a raw, developmental prospect. He’s got a pro comp to Will Levis. If Auburn is in a situation to get Walker White on the field, that’s going to be really tempting for Hugh Freeze. There are some expectations for Auburn under Hugh Freeze in year two, but big picture-wise, White is a guy that you want to get as much experience as possible. Freeze will find a way to get him in. He’s got a big frame at 230 pounds. They can use them around the goal line, too.”
While Walker and Payton Thorne were obviously in the group that's considered liked -- it's hard not to acknowledge how much Thorne is believed in by the coaching staff being named QB1 again despite how the 2023 season went -- it's unclear if Hank Brown or Holden Geriner were the QBs they do like.
Auburn football QBs Holden Geriner and Hank Brown given limited opportunities by Hugh Freeze
Brown has the Music City Bowl as his supporting argument that Freeze likes him, but it was Geriner who got QB2 reps during the A-Day spring game.
With that said, Geriner has showed issues being mobile in the pocket and may not have the speed to keep up with SEC defenses. Brown at least showed he can perform well against a Big Ten defense in Maryland in spurts.
Freeze's preferred list can change on a dime. But right now, it appears that Geriner is on the outside looking in. Whether or not he continues to choose to stick around despite likely never having a direct path to starting is a pressing question.