Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne has decommitted from the program, sources confirmed Thursday, following a shake-up in the Tigers’ quarterback room. The move comes in the wake of four-star quarterback Deuce Knight flipping his commitment to Auburn from Notre Dame. The addition of Knight to the Tigers’ elite 2025 recruiting class signals a pivotal shift for head coach Hugh Freeze and has caused ripples in the depth chart.
Thorne, a transfer from Michigan State who joined Auburn in 2023, has faced a difficult season, struggling to solidify himself as the clear starter. While his performance showed flashes of potential, inconsistencies under center led to mounting frustrations both within the program and among fans. Head coach Freeze had stood by Thorne through the season, opting not to pursue more quarterback options from the transfer portal despite public outcry.
With Knight’s arrival looming and another elite quarterback prospect, Walker White, already committed in the 2024 cycle, Thorne’s future with Auburn became increasingly uncertain. The 6-foot-2 signal-caller had started the majority of games for the Tigers this season but faced mounting pressure from the coaching staff as they began eyeing the future with their new top-tier recruits.
According to sources close to the situation, Thorne’s decision to leave the program was not entirely unexpected. The competition from up-and-coming talent and Freeze’s renewed focus on reshaping Auburn’s quarterback depth likely played a major role in the decommitment. Knight, a dual-threat quarterback with exceptional athleticism, is considered one of the most promising quarterbacks in the nation, and his recent commitment has energized the fanbase, but also made Thorne’s role less secure.
Thorne’s decommitment creates questions about Auburn’s quarterback situation moving forward, especially for the remainder of the 2024 season. With limited options on the depth chart, the Tigers may need to turn to backup quarterbacks Holden Geriner or Robby Ashford, or potentially reassess their approach in the transfer portal ahead of the next season.
Auburn’s coaching staff has yet to officially comment on Thorne’s departure, but Freeze’s recruiting success has bolstered the Tigers’ outlook for the future. The addition of Knight and White, coupled with the No. 3-ranked 2025 recruiting class, provides a glimpse of where the program is headed under Freeze’s leadership.
For Payton Thorne, this marks another unexpected chapter in his college football journey. After transferring from Michigan State to Auburn in search of a fresh start, his time with the Tigers was marked by both opportunity and frustration. It remains to be seen where Thorne will land next, but with experience in two major programs, he is likely to attract attention from other schools looking for a veteran quarterback.
As Auburn continues to build toward a future centered on elite quarterback prospects, the Tigers will now turn their focus to finishing the 2024 season strong, while preparing for the arrival of their next generation of talent.
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