The Auburn Tigers are counting on an improved season from quarterback Payton Thorne, and they’ve definitely provided him with more talented playmakers.
Thorne’s mediocre passing stats, inconsistent receiving targets, and occasional poor pass protection contributed to Auburn’s third consecutive losing season last year. Now, with a full year at Auburn under his belt after transferring from Michigan State last summer, Thorne is better prepared.
He also has a stronger group of receivers, which should help boost a passing offense that ranked among the nation’s least productive last season. The Tigers will kick off their season on August 31 against Alabama A&M.
The quality of a quarterback’s supporting cast is crucial. Thorne is pleased with the group Auburn has put together for this season.
“People often say football is the ultimate team game, and it truly is,” he remarked. “It’s challenging. Even great NFL quarterbacks, when things start falling apart around them, might not perform at the same level as when they have all their pieces in place.
“Sometimes it’s a tough situation, and you just have to make do with what you have.”
That’s not to say Thorne’s own performance doesn’t need considerable improvement. Last season, he threw for 1,755 yards and 16 touchdowns but also had 10 interceptions and struggled in the bowl game.
Auburn coach Hugh Freeze stated that Thorne was in the “pole position” for the starting role after spring practice, though he didn’t confirm that Thorne had secured the job over Hank Brown and Holden Geriner. It seems Brown is likely to be Thorne’s backup as the season begins.
To enhance the receiving corps, Freeze brought in a notable group of new players to replace a unit where no wideout surpassed 350 yards last season. Tight end Rivaldo Fairweather, the only key returnee, led the team with 38 catches for 394 yards.
Auburn added three transfers—KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Penn State) and Robert Lewis (Georgia State)—and five-star freshman Cam Coleman, who are expected to be immediate contributors.
“I feel really good about where we are right now,” Thorne said. “We still have young players, including four freshmen who might play for us. It’s not common, and they’re still learning. You can’t expect them to be seasoned veterans right away.
“There will be moments of inconsistency, but you have to remember these kids were playing high school football last year.”
Thorne mentioned that Coleman has had fewer of these issues.
With these new targets, Auburn hopes Thorne can approach his previous performance at Michigan State, where he passed for 6,494 yards over 29 games and had a 16-10 record as a starter.
He is now more familiar with Freeze’s offense.
“We’re a lot different from last year,” Freeze said. “From spring to now, his understanding of expectations has improved significantly. He’s doing things on the field that I’m really proud of.”
However, Thorne ended last season with two poor performances, going 18-of-43 for 175 yards and throwing three interceptions in losses to Alabama and Maryland in the Music City Bowl.
Thorne noted that “just about everything” is different this season, including new offensive coordinator Derrick Nix and many of his new receivers.
“Obviously, there’s more talent this year,” Thorne said. “It’s been exciting working with the new team. This is who we have now, and we’re going with it.”
And the Tigers are committed to Thorne.
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