Jump to content

6.7.23 Football Articles


aubiefifty

Recommended Posts

247sports.com

Freezes overhaul Newcomers make up more than half of Auburns 2023 roster

Nathan King

6–8 minutes

The dust is settling on Auburn football’s extensive roster overhaul. And fans will probably need to be referencing the game programs at Jordan-Hare Stadium this fall to learn a bevy of new faces.

We’re analyzing roster turnover this week across the 247Sports network, and Auburn’s patchwork job under Hugh Freeze has been one of the nation’s largest. Following the addition of JUCO defensive back Chancellor Anthony, the Tigers are now up to 82 scholarship spots filled for this coming season.

And with a 20-man transfer class on board — ranked No. 3 nationally by 247Sports — plus the remaining 2023 recruiting class now on campus for summer workouts, more than half of Auburn’s roster in Year 1 under Freeze is brand new to the program. After Anthony’s commitment, Auburn is sitting at 51 percent of the scholarship spots accounted for by newcomers — whether from the transfer ranks or the 2023 freshman class.

It’s important to note that Freeze said there are a pair of summer enrollees with academic holdups at the moment, and their impending statuses with the program could, of course, alter the scholarship counts in the near future.

Let’s break down the numbers. Freshmen are presented in order of recruiting rating, while all others are in position order, starting with quarterback.

WHO’S NEW? FRESHMEN ENROLLEES (27% OF ROSTER)

JACK Keldric Faulk

CB Kayin Lee

RB Jeremiah Cobb

DL Darron Reed

S Sylvester Smith

S Terrance Love

CB Tyler Scott

CB Colton Hood

DE Wilky Denaud

OL Connor Lew

WR Daquayvious Sorey

OL Clay Wedin

OL Izavion Miller (JUCO)

OL Bradyn Joiner

OL Tyler Johnson

S CJ Johnson

WR JC Hart

JACK Brenton Williams

DL Quientrail Jamison-Travis (JUCO)

DT Stephen Johnson

QB Hank Brown

DB Chancellor Anthony (JUCO)

Freeze and his new-look staff worked tirelessly within his first few weeks on the job to salvage a top-20 recruiting class that was once ranked as the SEC’s worst last year under Bryan Harsin. Names like Faulk and Lee already flashed their potential in spring ball, but five other top-10 signees in the Tigers’ 2023 haul reported last week and will look to make an impact in fall camp.

WHO’S NEW? TRANSFERS (24% OF ROSTER)

QB Payton Thorne (Michigan State)

RB Brian Battie (USF)

WR Nick Mardner (Cincinnati)

WR Caleb Burton (Ohio State)

WR Jyaire Shorter (North Texas)

WR Shane Hooks (Jackson State)

TE Rivaldo Fairweather (FIU)

LT Dillon Wade (Tulsa)

C Avery Jones (East Carolina)

RT Gunner Britton (Western Kentucky)

OL Jaden Muskrat (Tulsa)

NT Justin Rogers (Kentucky)

DT Lawrence Johnson (Purdue)

DE Mosiah Nasili-Kite (Maryland)

JACK Elijah McAllister (Vanderbilt)

JACK Jalen McLeod (App State)

JACK Stephen Sings V (Liberty)

LB DeMario Tolan (LSU)

LB Austin Keys (Ole Miss)

LB Larry Nixon III (North Texas)

Headlined by the splashy addition of Thorne, a two-year starter at Michigan State, Auburn was a mainstay in the top 5 of the transfer rankings for the majority of the cycle, and ultimately finished behind only Colorado and LSU. No team brought in more 4-star transfers than Auburn’s 11, including key depth on the defensive front, a trio of highly rated pickups along the offensive line, and a four-man transfer class that will look to bolster what’s been an inconsistent receiving corps.

WHO’S GONE? NFL DEPARTURES, GRADUATES

RB Tank Bigsby (3rd round)

WR Shedrick Jackson

TE John Samuel Shenker

OT Kilian Zierer

OT Austin Troxell

OT Brenden Coffey

OG Alec Jackson

OG Brandon Council

NT Marquis Burks

DL Colby Wooden (4th round)

DL Morris Joseph Jr.

JACK Derick Hall (2nd round)

JACK Eku Leota 

LB Owen Pappoe (5th round)

K Anders Carlson (6th round)

Eleven starters from the 2022 squad are represented in this group, including five draft picks — though Auburn could find itself better off after losing most of its starting experience on the offensive line, considering that group’s struggles for the better part of the past half decade. All-SEC names like Hall and Wooden will be tough to replace on the defensive line, where Auburn might have the most question marks entering the 2023 season.

WHO’S GONE? TRANSFERS

QB T.J. Finley (Texas State)

QB Zach Calzada (Incarnate Word)

RB Jordon Ingram (Troy)

WR Ze’Vian Capers (Western Kentucky)

WR J.J. Evans (UNA)

WR Dazalin Worsham (UAB)

WR Tar’Varish Dawson (Colorado)

WR Landen King (Utah)

OG Keiondre Jones (Florida State)

OT Colby Smith (Troy)

DT Marquis Robinson (N/A)

DE Jeffrey M’ba (Purdue)

DE Tobechi Okoli (Iowa State)

JACK Dylan Brooks (Kansas)

JACK Joko Willis (Nebraska-Kearney)

LB Kameron Brown (Chattanooga)

LB Desmond Tisdol (FAU)

LB Powell Gordon (N/A)

CB A.D. Diamond (UAB)

S Craig McDonald (Minnesota)

For the most part, Auburn avoided many, if any substantial hits to its roster in the transfer portal. The only bonafide starter lost was Jones at offensive guard, and that was all the way back in December. The Tigers needed to shore up depth at a number of positions due to their transfer losses, sure, and players like Dawson, King and M’ba were hoped to be exciting pieces for the future. But there’s no arguing the portal gave Auburn much, much more than it took this cycle.

WHO’S BACK? RETURNING PLAYERS (49% OF ROSTER)

QB Robby Ashford

QB Holden Geriner

RB Jarquez Hunter

RB Damari Alston

WR Ja’Varrius Johnson

WR Koy Moore

WR Malcolm Johnson Jr.

WR Camden Brown

WR Jay Fair

WR Omari Kelly

TE Luke Deal

TE Tyler Fromm

TE Brandon Frazier

TE Micah Riley-Ducker

C Jalil Irvin

OG Kameron Stutts

OG Tate Johnson

OG Jeremiah Wright

OL Garner Langlo

OG E.J. Harris

DT Marcus Harris

DT Zykeivous Walker

DT Jayson Jones

NT Enyce Sledge

LB Cam Riley

LB Wesley Steiner

LB Robert Woodyard

LB Eugene Asante

CB Nehemiah Pritchett

CB D.J. James

CB J.D. Rhym

DB Donovan Kaufman

DB Keionte Scott

DB Austin Ausberry

S Jaylin Simpson

S Zion Puckett

S Marquise Gilbert

S Cayden Bridges

K Alex McPherson

P Oscar Chapman

Including Ashford at quarterback, Auburn returns 14 starters from last year’s team, setting up a quality baseline of experience for the transfers and freshmen to upgrade. Of the Tigers’ 40 returning scholarship players, more than half (23) are at least fourth-year seniors. 

*** Subscribe to Auburn Undercover for the latest news and intel, podcasts, recruiting coverage and more ***

Link to comment
Share on other sites





Walker White is proving to be an elite recruiter

Andrew Stefaniak
~2 minutes

Auburn quarterback commit Walker White has recruiting in his blood. 

He called out recruits he wanted to join him literally the second after he chose the Auburn Tigers. 

It's always great to have a player that is willing to help the coaching staff recruit, and White has been that for Coach Freeze. 

Auburn will have a lot of talent on campus June 9-11, according to Jeffrey Lee of Auburn Live On3. 

These names include:

Daniel Hill: Four-Star Ath

Demarcus Riddick: Four-Star Ath (Georgia Commit) 

Coen Echols: Three-Star OT

Kensley Faustin: Four-Star S

Jalyn Crawford: Four-Star CB

Caleb Holmes: Four-Star IOL

White will also be on campus to ensure these visits go smoothly and hopefully get some talented players to choose Auburn. 

Auburn already having their quarterback of the future in White will help Coach Freeze sell what is to come on the Plains. 

White's ability and excitement around finding great players to play with him will boost this 2024 class. 

It's safe to say that with the coaching staff and White working hard on the recruiting trail, Auburn could put together a special class in 2024. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

si.com
 

Auburn football has a solid blue-chip ratio on the 2023 roster

Andrew Stefaniak
~2 minutes

Blue-chip ratio is a big part of football because it shows how much talent teams truly have on their rosters. 

Blue-chip recruits are considered four and five-star players.

247Sports put out a graphic of the blue-chip ratio for these past four recruiting classes and Auburn's percentage of blue-chip recruits is 51. 

This means that over 50% of the talent Auburn has landed over these past four years is four or five-star players. 

This number frankly surprised me, as recruiting was rough during the Bryan Harsin era, but things are turning around under Coach Freeze. 

The biggest takeaway from this graphic is that Auburn has a talented 2023 roster that could lead to a massive turnaround from what was a horrendous 2022 season. 

We know Coach Freeze will be able to get everything out of all of this talent on the 2023 roster. 

The one scary part about this graphic is that there are four teams on Auburn's 2023 schedule with higher percentages than them. 

It's going to be a tough road for Auburn, but a world where the Tigers win eight games is possible.

Hopefully, seeing this graphic over the course of these next few years, it will go up as Coach Freeze can and will recruit at a high level. 


Link to comment
Share on other sites

al.com
 

Auburn 3-of-25 on College Football Hall of Fame ballot

Updated: Jun. 06, 2023, 6:57 a.m.|Published: Jun. 06, 2023, 5:30 a.m.
7–9 minutes

The College Football Hall of Fame ballot for its Class of 2024 includes three former Auburn stars among the 78 players on the NCAA FBS portion.

With guard Ed King and linebacker Takeo Spikes reaching this stage of the selection process for the first time to join linebacker Gregg Carr, the Tigers are among the seven programs that have three candidates on the player ballot, joining California, Colorado, Miami (Fla.), Oklahoma, Penn State and Pittsburgh.

The College Football Hall of Fame has enshrined eight players from Auburn. But the Tigers haven’t added to their Hall of Fame roster since fullback Ed Dyas was part of the Class of 2009.

The three nominees came from a list of 25 former Auburn players who were eligible for the Class of 2024 ballot. That doesn’t include 21 Auburn alumni who meet the first standard for consideration for the College Football Hall of Fame but aren’t in the current eligibility window.

That’s 46 players from Auburn with the possibility of becoming Hall of Famers.

To be considered for the College Football Hall of Fame today, a player must have been a first-team All-American selection by one of the organizations that the NCAA uses to compile its annual consensus All-American team. Currently, those organizations are the American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Football Writers Association of American, Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation. But the selectors used by the NCAA have varied over the years, ranging from a low of two to a high of 10.

Players aren’t considered for the College Football Hall of Fame until 10 full seasons after their final college campaign. They also aren’t considered while they are active NFL players. Auburn has eight players who meet the All-American standard but aren’t eligible yet because their final season with the Tigers came in 2013 or later and/or they’re still playing in the NFL.

Players also aren’t considered if their college careers ended more than 50 years ago, so any player who completed his time with Auburn before 1974 isn’t eligible for the 2024 ballot. The Tigers have 13 players who meet the All-American standard but are outside the 50-year window.

Those players still can be considered for the College Football Hall of Fame, but their qualifications are examined by the Football Bowl Subdivision Honors Review Committee, bypassing the ballot.

King qualified for the ballot as a unanimous All-American, Carr as a consensus All-American and Spikes as a non-consensus All-American.

A unanimous All-American is a player who was a first-team selection for all the organizations used by the NCAA to compile the consensus All-American team for that season.

A consensus All-American usually is a player who was a first-team selection for at least half of the organizations used by the NCAA to compile the consensus All-American team. It’s possible to become a consensus All-American without reaching the halfway mark, and it’s also possible, though rare, not to be a consensus All-American even while making at least half of the first teams.

For consideration for the College Football Hall of Fame, players don’t have to be consensus All-Americans – just first-teamers for the right selector.

Former Auburn players eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame whose careers ended more than 50 years ago include (presented alphabetically with their All-American qualifying standards):

Center Jackie Burkett: Non-consensus in 1958

Defensive tackle David Campbell: Non-consensus in 1968

Fullback Joe Childress: Non-consensus in 1955

Tackle Frank D’Agostino: Non-consensus in 1955

Halfback Monk Gafford: Non-consensus in 1942

Defensive back Buddy McClinton: Consensus in 1969

End Jim “Red” Phillips: Unanimous in 1957

Tackle Ken Rice: Non-consensus in 1959 and consensus in 1960

Back Jimmy Sidle: Non-consensus in 1963

Guard Zeke Smith: Consensus in 1958 and non-consensus in 1959

Defensive tackle Jack Thornton: Non-consensus in 1965

Center Caleb Warrington: Non-consensus in 1944

Defensive back Larry Willingham: Consensus in 1970

Former Auburn players currently eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame ballot include (presented alphabetically with their All-American qualifying standards):

Linebacker Ken Bernich: Consensus in 1974

Linebacker Aundray Bruce: Consensus in 1987

Linebacker Gregg Carr: Consensus in 1984

Punter Lewis Colbert: Non-consensus in 1985

Linebacker Kurt Crain: Non-consensus in 1987

Punter Terry Daniel: Consensus in 1993

Linebacker Karlos Dansby: Consensus in 2003

Kicker Damon Duval: Consensus in 2001

Defensive tackle Nick Fairley: Consensus in 2010

Running back Brent Fullwood: Unanimous in 1986

Offensive tackle Wayne Gandy: Consensus in 1993

Guard Ed King: Non-consensus in 1989 and unanimous in 1990

Offensive tackle Marcus McNeill: Consensus in 2005

Quarterback Cam Newton: Consensus in 2010

Offensive tackle Victor Riley: Non-consensus in 1997

Defensive back Brian Robinson: Consensus in 1994

Defensive tackle David Rocker: Consensus in 1990

Cornerback Carlos Rogers: Consensus in 2004

Wide receiver Frank Sanders: Non-consensus in 1990

Offensive tackle Stacy Searels: Non-consensus in 1987

Defensive back Chris Shelling: Non-consensus in 1994

Linebacker Takeo Spikes: Non-consensus in 1997

Center Ben Tamburello: Unanimous in 1986

Running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams: Non-consensus in 2004

Offensive tackle Lee Ziemba: Consensus in 2010

Former Auburn players who meet the All-American standard for the College Football Hall of Fame but are not yet eligible for consideration include (presented alphabetically with their All-American qualifying standards):

Defensive tackle Derrick Brown: Unanimous in 2019

Kicker Daniel Carlson: Non-consensus in 2017

All-purpose/kick returner Chris Davis: Non-consensus in 2013

Center Reese Dismukes: Consensus in 2014

Defensive end Carl Lawson: Non-consensus in 2016

Running back Tre Mason: Non-consensus in 2013

Cornerback Roger McCreary: Non-consensus in 2021

Guard Braden Smith: Non-consensus in 2017

Auburn has eight players in the College Football Hall of Fame (presented alphabetically with their All-American qualifying standards):

Wide receiver Terry Beasley: Unanimous in 1971

Fullback Ed Dyas: Non-consensus in 1960

Halfback Tucker Frederickson: Consensus in 1964

Halfback Jimmy Hitchcock: Consensus in 1932

Running back Bo Jackson: Consensus in 1983 and unanimous in 1985

Defensive tackle Tracy Rocker: Consensus in 1987 and unanimous in 1988

Quarterback Pat Sullivan: Unanimous in 1971

One of College Football Hall of Fame members from Auburn does not meet the currently used All-American standard – center Walter Gilbert, who played for the Tigers from 1934 through 1936.

Players on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot are nominated by athletic directors, head coaches and sports-information directors at National Football Foundation-member schools.

The FBS nominees are sorted geographically for eight District Screening Committees. The committee members vote on which players will represent their region on the ballot. Players who received significant support in the final voting in the previous year but did not make the College Football Hall of Fame also are held over on the ballot automatically.

The more than 12,000 members of the National Football Foundation then get the annual ballot for their consideration.

After the vote, the NFF Honors Court considers recommendations from the veterans committee, reviews the voting and chooses the members of the Hall of Fame class.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @AMarkG1.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

montgomeryadvertiser.com
 

Predicting Auburn football's leaders in key stat categories in 2023

 
5–6 minutes

AUBURN — If the 5-7 record isn't enough, taking a look at Auburn football's stats from last season show just how disappointing the Tigers were in 2022.

Auburn averaged 378.5 yards per game and allowed 395.2, figures that ranked No. 10 and No. 9 in the SEC, respectively. The six interceptions the Tigers hauled in were tied with Vanderbilt for second fewest in the conference and, even with respected pass rushers like Derick Hall, Auburn only brought the quarterback down 26 times, which ranked in the bottom half of the league.

For things to turn around in Year 1 under coach Hugh Freeze, the Tigers need some individuals to step up and provide big-time production. Here's a prediction of who could be those difference makers in various statistical categories for 2023.

SCHEDULING:Auburn football schedule update: Kickoff times, TV assignments set for first three games

BY THE NUMBERS:Breaking down what Auburn football gained, lost in the transfer portal this offseason

Catches: Ja'Varrius Johnson

Ja'Varrius Johnson led Auburn's receivers in receptions last year with 26. Koy Moore was second with 20.

Johnson, whose 26 catches went for a team-high 493 yards, could be primed for more targets in 2023. Freeze runs an RPO-based offense, with the ball often coming out quickly. Johnson's height (5-foot-10) doesn't make him a prototypical Freeze receiver, but his speed and quickness could make him a threat on short and intermediate routes out of the slot.

Rushing yards: Jarquez Hunter

Jarquez Hunter isn't the most explosive running back on Auburn's roster − that distinction likely lies with South Florida transfer Brian Battie − but he's proven to be the most consistent.

Hunter received only 35% of the carries given to RBs last year playing behind Tank Bigsby and still ran for nearly 700 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Bigsby averaged 5.4. Hunter's average will likely come down with more attempts in 2023, but he should at least be in the ballpark of 1,000 yards as the No. 1 back.

Receiving yards: Jyaire Shorter

North Texas wide receiver Jyaire Shorter (left) in 2019

Making big plays is what made North Texas transfer Jyaire Shorter stand out.

Shorter only caught 23 passes for the Mean Green last year, but his 27.3 yards per catch led the nation as he racked up 628 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Going from Conference USA to the SEC is a significant step up in competition, but Shorter has proven capable of turning minimal targets into huge production.

Total touchdowns: Rivaldo Fairweather

Freeze clearly has a type. Of the five pass catchers Auburn picked up from the transfer portal this offseason − receivers Shorter, Caleb Burton III, Shane Hooks and Nick Mardner, along with tight end Rivaldo Fairweather − four are 6-foot-2 or taller. Three are at least 6-4.

Fairweather falls into the latter category. At tight end, the Florida International transfer could be a real red-zone threat for Auburn. Once they get within the 20-yard line, the Tigers could roll out a unit that features Fairweather (6-4), Camden Brown (6-3), Hooks (6-4) and Mardner (6-6), presenting a unique problem for opposing defenses.

Tackles: Austin Keys

Ole Miss transfer linebacker Austin Keys appeared to separate from the pack during spring practice. He started alongside Wesley Steiner at A-Day and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts labelled that duo in March as taking "the starting part right now."

Keys only had 25 total tackles with the Rebels in 2022, but that number should rise significantly in a potentially new starting role.

Vanderbilt quarterback AJ Swann (13) throws past Mississippi linebacker Austin Keys (11) during the second quarter at FirstBank Stadium Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.

Sacks: Jalen McLeod

Between transfers Elijah McAllister (Vanderbilt) and Stephen Sings V (Liberty) and true freshman Keldric Faulk, Auburn should have a heavy rotation at jack linebacker. But the pick here is Appalachian State transfer Jalen McLeod.

At 237 pounds, McLeod is a bit lighter than the Tigers' other pass rushers. He may get pushed around in the run game, but when opponents are in obvious passing situations, McLeod should be able to pin his ears back and use his speed to get around the edge.

Interceptions: Jaylin Simpson

Jaylin Simpson came to Auburn as a cornerback in the Class of 2019, but he was most successful last season after converting to safety.

"I think Simp has found himself a home," secondary coach Zac Etheridge said in February when asked what position Simpson will play. "... His upside at that position is through the roof. If he embraces it and studies the game like he should, I think he'll be a Sunday pick."

Simpson pulled in two interceptions last year. Now comfortably in his new position, he has the best chance at becoming the ball hawk Auburn's secondary needs.

Auburn Tigers cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) toss the ball to the sideline as he celebrates his interception as Auburn Tigers take on Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Auburn Tigers defeated Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 41-17.

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Auburn recruiting stat further illustrates Bryan Harsin’s Plains failures

Andrew Hughes
2–3 minutes

An Auburn football recruiting stat from 247Sports further illustrates Bryan Harsin's failure on the Plains as 247Sports' Brandon Marcello points out Mandatory Credit: The Montgomery Advertiser

An Auburn football recruiting stat from 247Sports further illustrates Bryan Harsin's failure on the Plains as 247Sports' Brandon Marcello points out Mandatory Credit: The Montgomery Advertiser

 

The sky is blue and another stat from the Bryan Harsin era of Auburn football paints his tenure on the Plains as one rife with failures — failures that weren’t confined to just when the game clock was running but also took place on the recruiting trail for nearly two years.

This time, it’s in regard to the program’s blue-chip ratio, otherwise known as the ratio of 4-star and 5-star recruits signed over 3-star and 4-stars. AU’s almost fell off over the last four classes, down to No. 15 in the country and at 51%.

As 247Sports’ Brandon Marcello pointed out that Harsin almost had the team out of the graphic altogether after bringing on just 18 4-stars and 5-stars over his two years in East Central Alabama.

Bryan Harsin finally thriving after not doing so during 21 games as Auburn football head coach

Auburn football is certainly not thriving relative to the 90% blue-chip ratio for Alabama and 77% blue-chip ratio for the back-to-back defending College Football Playoff National Champions, Georgia. But don’t worry.

Harsin said he now is in Boise, Idaho. Hooray.

“I wasn’t going to let (Auburn) eat at me, no matter how s—ty some of the things were that my family had to endure,” Harsin told ESPN’s Chris Low. “There were things we didn’t like. There were things that were disappointing, on and off the field. There were things that I wish I would have done better, and there were things where we got a chance to see some of the worst in people. At the same time, here we are. We’re thriving.”

Harsin receives his $15.3 million in buyout money, and the new coaching staff gets to pick up the pieces. That sounds like a fair trade-off, right? No?

Luckily Hugh Freeze is working hard enough to distract from his own personal shortcomings in the SEC that he may just undo the damage done by Harsin and his coaching staff.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

on3.com
 

Payton Thorne goes in-depth on choosing Auburn, high expectations, building team chemistry and more

Justin Hokanson
10–12 minutes

AUBURN — Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne joined the Auburn collective’s On To Victory podcast on Monday morning to chat about his journey to the Plains, expectations and much more. The show is hosted by former Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell and this specific podcast was co-hosted by Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson.

Thorne committed to Auburn football on May 5 after entering the transfer portal on April 30. He’s been on campus for “around three weeks,” he said, getting acclimated to the area and meeting his teammates.

“It’s been great,” Thorne said. “A number of things happened over the last month that brought me to Auburn. Some things, or a lot of things that are out there about why I came here are not accurate. The main reason I came here was Coach (Hugh) Freeze and Coach (Philip) Montgomery, and seeing what they’ve done with quarterbacks and seeing the offense they run. That really attracted me to this place.

“And everything I’ve heard about the university, the football program and the fan base, it’s awesome. On my visit, I checked out the new facility and met more people, it was great. I left this place knowing this was the place for me and it was best for me and my future.”

LIMITED TIME OFFER: JOIN AUBURN LIVE FOR $1 AND GET THREE MONTHS OF ACCESS, OR PAY $49.99 AND GET ONE FULL YEAR

After four seasons at Michigan State, a place where Payton Thorne thought his career would begin and end, the transition to Auburn seems to be one Thorne is taking in stride.

“If you would have asked me five days before I entered the portal if I was transferring, I would have asked you what you were talking about,” Thorne said. “I never really, it was a series of events that brought me to enter the portal and it all happened really quick. I came to Michigan State, coach (Mark) Dantonio recruited me and I wasn’t a super highly recruited guy — I didn’t have a ton of hype around me coming in. The comparison Coach Dantonio and his staff made was Kirk Cousins.

“For me, that was a high honor to be compared to him. I came in with the goal of doing what he did. I looked at his records the first day I got there and wanted to break those. That was a big thing for me. That was one of the hard things to leave Michigan State, but ultimately, the pros and cons, it wasn’t close. That’s what brought me to Auburn. I enjoyed my time at Michigan State. There’s a lot of great teammates and a lot of great relationships, but I’m looking forward to this new chapter here. I’m extremely excited to be here. I’m not looking back. I made this decision and it’s all Auburn now. I love it.”

Thorne’s former head coach, Dantonio, cut his teeth on the defensive side of the football before becoming a head coach. Freeze, as we know, created his path to head coaching on the offensive side. Thorne knows things will be different.

“It’s definitely going to be different. It’ll be fun playing for an offensive head coach,” Thorne said. “Having multiple coaches that I can work with. Coach Freeze has had a lot of success offensively, Coach Montgomery’s success speaks for itself. Coach Kent Austin is involved with the quarterbacks, and Coach (Jesse) Stone, too. That’s four guys I can learn from and can always pop in and watch film with, or go over offensive schemes, stuff like that.

“That was a big reason why I decided this was the move for me. I don’t have a complete feel yet what it’s like playing for an offensive coach yet because we haven’t put in any practice situations for me, but talking with Coach Freeze — I know it’s going to be different and going to be fun playing for an offensive head coach.”

Having said all that, expectations will be very high for Thorne given two things: Auburn’s struggles the past two years to win football games, and specifically Auburn’s struggles in 2022 to produce consistent and winning quarterback play. Fans, mostly, will view Thorne as the “fix,” fairly or unfairly.

And while Thorne stays off social media for the most part, only taking part in Instagram to build his “brand” and help create NIL opportunities, Thorne seems well aware of what he’s stepping into at Auburn.

“The first thing that comes to mind is pressure is a privilege,” Thorne said. “That’s a good thing. I point toward God. The things that happened to get me to this point, I don’t believe in coincidences. I feel like there’s a reason that I’m here. There’s a reason that somehow the events that happened brought me to this point. In terms of the pressure, I don’t see much of it, I don’t see what the fans are saying. I bump into some people here and they’ve said certain things, but I’ve played in the Big Ten. People always say ‘It just means more,’ and I definitely have felt that out here so far, and I love it. I’ve always wanted to live in the south and getting to live down here is awesome.

“I’m minimal with my social media, so I don’t hear a ton of it, but I have high expectations for myself, too. I hold myself to a high standard and I’m coming in here to work hard and do what I can to put myself in a good situation to help this team win games. I have a process that’s set forward that will give me the chance to do that. I’ve surrounded myself in my life with a lot of great people and coming here, I’m surrounded with great people. I’m praying and working. It all comes down to what you put forward, that’s what you’re going to get out of it.”

Meeting new teammates, critical summer ahead

Payton Thorne will be working behind a rebuilt offensive line and throwing to a rebuilt receiving corps starting this summer. Transfers Gunner Britton, Dillon Wade and Avery Jones are all expected starters on the offensive line, with transfer Jaden Muskrat maybe pushing for a starting role as well. At receiver, transfers Jyaire Shorter, Shane Hooks, Nick Mardner and Caleb Burton are coming in hoping to help bolster the Tigers’ ability to score points.

And all those newcomers are in addition to returning players fighting for snaps and their place on this team. To Thorne, they’re all brand-new teammates, and a group that has to come together quickly.

“It’s been great meeting those guys and getting to know them,” Thorne said. “I got to meet Gunner right away, we went out to eat a couple of times. That’s been great meeting some of the guys that have been here. Talking with D-Wade, meeting Avery, it’s been great. The receivers, it’s been good, too. They’ve been filtering in. We’re getting started rolling with that. Meeting the receivers that have been here — meeting those guys and throwing, getting the timing down, really just working out with them and seeing how they work, it’s been great so far. We’ve been in the film room a little bit, so we’ll get more of that going as time goes on and attacking this summer with those guys.”

Thorne knows good and well how important June and July will be to build chemistry with his new offensive teammates before fall camp starts at the beginning of August.

“It’s extremely important. Every single day, we have to be taking advantage. Whether that’s throwing, which is most days, but it’s watching film. It’s extremely important to take the film examples and apply it to the field,” Thorne said.

“Honestly, the summer is huge because you can work without structure, which is great actually. You can go run routes and say, ‘OK, if this coverage is being played this way or the corner is playing with this leverage, this is how we have to run this route,’ You work on those things and that’s not something you get to do during practice. Practice is so high tempo — you don’t get as detailed as work. When you’re there by yourself, you could be out there for three hours if you really want to. That’s rare that you are out there for that long, but sometimes you’re just sitting out there and talking through stuff. It’s not always completely structured, which is great.”

Meshing with an established QB room

After four years of college football, Payton Thorne immediately enters the Auburn quarterback room as the veteran, joining three-year player Robby Ashford and true sophomore Holden Geriner. True freshman Hank Brown will join the room this summer, too. While Thorne arrives at Auburn with the purpose of starting, Ashford and Geriner certainly have similar ideas.

“We’re all working for the same thing. We’re all working to play and to win,” Thorne said. “Coming in, not being that guy who is tryin to do too much. I was a quarterback who had a transfer come in two years ago, so I’ve been on the other side of it where I can see what it’s like. I’ve drawn from that experience. I’ve learned some do’s and don’ts, so I’m doing my best to apply that to the situation I’m in right now.”

What’s Payton Thorne’s mindset with two years of eligibility left?

Because of Covid, using his redshirt season and already graduating, Payton Thorne is a unique case in college football. He’s played four years in college and graduated from Michigan State this spring, yet still has two years of eligibility remaining. While Freeze would love to start his coaching tenure off at Auburn with a two-year starting quarterback, Thorne is taking things one day at a time for now.

“I’m not thinking about the postseason or anything like that. My focus is getting this offense down, mastering the offense, knowing every single little detail of it like I did with my past offense so I can be as effective as I can, and getting to know my teammates. That’s going to take care of itself when it gets here. I’m not making any decisions anytime soon on anything like that,” Thorne said

“The last two years, if I had a good year, I could have left type thing, so I’ve been draft eligible the last two years. It’s the same mindset I’ve had. I’m not too concerned with that. That’ll take care of itself. The work I put forth now is going to put me in position to have that decision. That’s my goal is to have a decision to make, and then ultimately that would mean we won a lot of games and that I did my job for our team and played well. That’s my focus right now. I’m focused on getting as good as I can be with the gifts God gave me, and helping my teammates be the best that they can be. All that stuff will sort itself out when the time comes.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

do to algorithm i assume this just popped up and is a few days old.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1) do we know who is having academic issues?

2)  I was wondering about the blue chip ratio.  I forget what you need to be considered a Natty contender?  While Harsin failed in number and position of need I feel like he did ok Star wise.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Fifty 

  • Love 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

48 minutes ago, Win4AU said:

1) do we know who is having academic issues?

2)  I was wondering about the blue chip ratio.  I forget what you need to be considered a Natty contender?  While Harsin failed in number and position of need I feel like he did ok Star wise.  

i posted something about that in the last couple of days. freeze said one should be ok and he had no clue on the other guy. sorry that is all i remember.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

46 minutes ago, Win4AU said:

1) do we know who is having academic issues?

2)  I was wondering about the blue chip ratio.  I forget what you need to be considered a Natty contender?  While Harsin failed in number and position of need I feel like he did ok Star wise.  

Harsin was well on his way to putting a Sun Belt roster on the field at Jordan Hare wearing Auburn jerseys. He made up for lack of numbers by being even worse at recruiting quality.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...