With Ashford being the sole departure from the offseason, the Tigers are poised to welcome back fifth-year senior Payton Thorne, sophomore Holden Geriner, and redshirt freshman Hank Brown.
Thorne, who served as Auburn’s starting quarterback last season, enters spring camp as the incumbent, having thrown for 1,755 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions with a 61% completion rate.
Coach Freeze expects Thorne to make significant strides in his second season with the team, emphasizing the benefits of experience and additional practice sessions.
However, following a challenging performance in the Music City Bowl against Maryland, Freeze declared the quarterback position “wide open” for competition in the upcoming spring. This creates an opportunity for Geriner, Brown, and other additions to Auburn’s quarterback roster to vie for the starting role.
Geriner saw action in five games last season, primarily in mop-up duty, completing five passes for 75 yards. Brown, although appearing in only one game, made a strong impression during the Music City Bowl by completing 7 of 9 passes for 132 yards.
Coach Freeze expressed confidence in Brown’s abilities, highlighting his impressive high school stats, which included 42 touchdowns and only one interception.
Despite inquiries about potentially bringing in a transfer quarterback amid Auburn’s offensive struggles, Freeze is committed to developing the current quarterback group. He believes that with the right support, including improved surrounding pieces, the quarterback room will thrive in the upcoming season.
Tigers add to the quarterback room
Auburn’s solitary addition to its quarterback cohort comes through the recruitment of 4-star prospect Walker White, who committed to Auburn for a solid 10 months without any wavering, eventually sealing the deal by signing his letter of intent.
White’s arrival injects an element of intrigue into the Tigers’ quarterback competition, which Coach Freeze has described as “wide open” for contention. Freeze has consistently expressed high regard for White’s potential.
During his press conference on December 20, Freeze expressed confidence in White’s abilities, stating, “Walker White, I think, is going to be a star. I believe he possesses all the qualities expected of a quarterback. He embodies the essence of an Auburn player. While his adjustment to the college game remains uncertain, I believe he possesses all the necessary skills to succeed.”
In his final year at Little Rock Christian Academy in Arkansas, White led the Warriors to a commendable 10-3 record. He showcased his passing prowess by accumulating 2,660 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, boasting a 62.8% completion rate. Additionally, White contributed with his mobility, amassing 530 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
