On3's Jesse Simonton shares thoughts on Auburn's QB competition

Although not officially decided, Payton Thorne is expected to lead Auburn’s offense as QB1 for the season-opener with Alabama A&M and beyond, but how long will he keep his spot?

On3’s Jesse Simonton shared his take on college football’s top quarterback competitions including Auburn’s. He gives the nod to Thorne citing Hugh Freeze’s offseason improvements in recruiting.

“Thorne is the incumbent starter and exited spring practice in “pole position,” and all indications are Thorne has continued to separate himself in fall camp,” Simonton said. “Freeze has been flip-floppy with Throne, but Auburn has done a great job this offseason making sure its quarterback is supported by a much stronger cast of playmakers (5-star freshman wideout Cam Coleman, Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis, and Penn State transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith.)”

However, Simonton questions how long Thorne will last as the starter. Last season, Auburn finished No. 14 in the SEC with 175.9 yards per game, 20 yards fewer than the next-highest team, Mississippi State. Simonton says that “one of the youngsters could get a look” if Thorne shows signs of struggle early. Holden Geriner and Hank Brown return to the QB room while Freeze prepares to develop freshman Walker White for a chance to start after this season.

Auburn wide receiver Sam Jackson V expects Thorne to return to his 2021 form this season. In 2021 at Michigan State, Thorne passed for over 3,000 yards and led the Spartans to a Peach Bowl win. Will Thorne reach that level again in 2024?

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