BREAKING NEWS: Auburn Tigers top prominent QB makes it back to squad after severe knee injury

The Auburn Tigers are optimistic that quarterback Payton Thorne will have a stronger season, thanks to a more talented group of playmakers around him.

Last season, Thorne’s average passing stats, unreliable receiving targets, and inconsistent pass protection contributed to Auburn’s third consecutive losing record. After transferring from Michigan State, Thorne now has a full year of experience and a revamped receiving corps that should bolster a passing offense that struggled significantly last year. Auburn’s season kicks off on August 31 against Alabama A&M.

Teammate support is vital for any quarterback, and Thorne values the new talent Auburn has added this season.

“It’s called the ultimate team game for a reason,” Thorne noted. “Even great NFL quarterbacks can look different when their team is falling apart. You can’t expect the same performance when everything isn’t in place.”

Despite these changes, Thorne needs to improve his own game. Last season, he threw for 1,755 yards and 16 touchdowns but also had 10 interceptions and faced challenges in the bowl game.

According to Auburn coach Hugh Freeze, Thorne is currently leading in the race for the starting job following spring practice, though it has not been confirmed that he will start over competitors Hank Brown and Holden Geriner. Brown is expected to be Thorne’s backup.

Freeze has also recruited a promising group of receivers to replace a unit that failed to produce a single wideout with 350 yards last season. Tight end Rivaldo Fairweather, the only main target returning, led the team with 38 catches for 394 yards.

Auburn added three transfer receivers and four freshmen. Transfers KeAndre Lambert-Smith (from Penn State) and Robert Lewis (from Georgia State), along with five-star freshman Cam Coleman, are anticipated to be impactful immediately.

“I’m feeling really positive about our current situation,” Thorne said. “We have young players, including four freshmen who might play for us, which is unusual. They are still learning and can’t be expected to perform like seasoned veterans right away. Coleman, in particular, has adjusted well.”

With these new targets, Auburn hopes Thorne can return to his Michigan State form, where he passed for 6,494 yards over 29 games and held a 16-10 record as a starter.

Thorne is no longer learning Freeze’s offense from the ground up.

“We’re a completely different team than last year,” Freeze said. “Since spring, Thorne’s grasp of the expectations has significantly improved. He’s demonstrating growth and doing things on the field that make me very proud.”