Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne is one of the more experienced players in college football. When Auburn opens up the season this weekend, his favorite receiving target could be one of the least.
Auburn’s QB1 has been working tirelessly throughout camp to develop a repertoire with highly-touted freshman receiver Cam Coleman , and that connection has seemed to blossom as the season approaches.
Speaking with the media this week, Thorne described how he sees a lot of his younger self in the former five-star recruit. “Cam is an awesome guy. I really enjoy playing with him and enjoy just hanging out with him, honestly. I feel like we’re very like-minded. He’s a competitor and that’s probably what I like most about him, honestly.”
Thorne has seen that competitor mindset from Coleman in camp, specifically when he makes a mistake. Auburn’s starting quarterback recalled a time earlier in the summer when the 18-year-old messed up a rep.
“He got really, really pissed off.. I freaking love that.” Thorne said. “I just enjoy playing with him so much because I see in him a lot of my younger self and how pissed off I used to get if I messed something up that I knew and stuff like that,”
Thorne further went on to praise Coleman’s work ethic, going as far as to compare him to former Michigan State receiver and current Buffalo Bill Keon Coleman, a former teammate of Thorne’s, telling reporters “there’s a lot of similarities” between the two.
Auburn’s offense is expected to take a major step in the right direction under head coach Hugh Freeze ’s second year on the Plains. In order to take that important step, the quarterback is going to have to play much better than he did a year ago.
Players like Coleman should make the life of Thorne a whole lot easier, especially if they are on the same page on game day. Thorne and Coleman’s first test comes in just a few short days when the Tigers host Alabama A&M from Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Contact/Follow us @ TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @TheRealBHauch
Local Auburn, AL
Most Popular
Comments / 0