Will Auburn’s Payton Thorne Take A Major Step Forward This Season?

Will Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne take a major step forward this season?

That's probably the biggest question for the Tigers faithful as the 2024 college football season draws near and Auburn prepares for Week 1 opponent Alabama A&M.

The Tigers bring in four big-time freshmen and three Transfer Portal receivers to help Thorne and the passing game. Plus, adding Mississippi State left tackle Percy Lewis will bolster pass protection and help the running game augment Thorne’s efforts.

With all of the talent now at Auburn, there’s good reason to believe the Tigers will indeed be better at throwing the football, but more importantly, win games by placing points on the scoreboard. That would be a definitive change.

For 2023, CFB Stats has Auburn as the No. 62 scoring offense with 26.2 points per contest. Thorne's first season on the Plains took a lot of heat for being the point man for those numbers.

From the Auburn Athletics page, here’s a look at Thorne’s 2023 statistics and then it is time to dive into his expectations with the talent around him.

162 of 165, 61.1%, 1,755 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. As a runner, Thorne’s numbers include 134 attempts, 515 yards, a 3.8 average, and 3 touchdowns.

Let’s go away from just numbers and bring in an outside opinion about Thorne. Athlon’s Steven Lassan ranks every FBS quarterback starter. Here’s his take on Thorne, who comes in at #60 on the list:

"After starting 26 games at Michigan State from 2020-22, Thorne transferred after spring practice to Auburn and claimed the No. 1 spot on the depth chart by the opener. The Illinois native added more to the rushing attack than most anticipated (515 yards and three scores) but was up-and-down as a passer. In 13 games, Thorne threw for 1,755 yards and 16 touchdowns and finished near the bottom of the SEC in yards per attempt (6.6) and ranked last in quarterback rating (129.1). Although Thorne's upside might not be at an All-SEC level, the senior should perform better in '24. Auburn's supporting cast at receiver is significantly better with the arrival of freshman Cam Coleman and transfer Keandre Lambert-Smith . Also, the staff cohesion should improve with coach Hugh Freeze handling some of the play-calling duties. Expect Thorne to take a step forward in his second year on the Plains.”

Fair assessment? Reasonably, the answer would be yes. It is Year 2 and the scheme adjusts to what Thorne states will be more comfortable for him within the run-pass option game; he’s brought that up during multiple interviews since last season.

Just as importantly, Thorne’s most recent interview session with the Auburn media provides insight into his thinking about whom he’s throwing the football, including Coleman, who he defines below.

“Guys like Cam, he’s a different type of receiver,” Thorne describes. “You throw him different kinds of balls. You don’t have to do things necessarily the same way with him as guys that are 5-11 or 6-0.”

Communicating with Thorne more that day, he made it clear that Coleman’s leaping ability and athleticism provide a chance to make highlight plays. The Tigers can use all of that they can get.

While Thorne’s statements are blunt about the budding talent that Coleman provides, he also gives props to each of the freshmen receivers, Perry Thompson , Bryce Cain , and Malcolm Simmons . Adding them to transfers Lambert-Smith, Robert Lewis , and Sam Jackson IV , those combine for as big a transformation as any receiver room in college football.

While Thorne’s game needs to rise it’s no secret that the receiver position needs to be far better, it is hard to imagine the two positions not showcasing much better results while being paired together in 2024. There’s still another reason Thorne and the Auburn offense should take a step forward.

The running game. Freeze and numerous media outlets are high on Jarquez Hunter and the talent that will take handoffs and catch passes from Thorne. Here’s an excerpt from Lindy’s preseason magazine about the running backs, with Hunter at the forefront:

“The running back position will again be strong, led by Jarquez Hunter, who rejected the NFL Draft and returns to Auburn with 2,170 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.”

The Tigers will also rely on Damari Alston , Jeremiah Cobb , and Sean Jackson to carry the rushing load and impact the passing game. It's a quality group with different skill sets to help the Tigers score points and win games.

With all of the new talent playing with Thorne, it’s reasonable to believe he should increase his production by a wide margin and the offense should score more points.

Will Thorne take a major step forward this season? Yes he will. He’s going to have plenty of help to make it happen, too.