Auburn Gets a Brand New Quarterback

Robby Ashford is going to have competition this summer for the starting quarterback position at Auburn. On Friday, head coach Hugh Freeze brought in former Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne from the transfer portal.

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The redshirt senior was the Spartans starting quarterback for the last two years. In two seasons as a starter, Throne had an overall record of 16-9, while passing for 5,919 yards, and 46 touchdowns. In 2021, he also led the Spartans to an 11-2 record and a victory in the Chick-Fill-A Peach Bowl against the ACC Champion Pittsburgh Panthers.

Even with the increased competition on The Plains, Ashford is all for competition. On his twitter moments after Thorne announced his decision, Ashford tweeted "Let’s work. Iron sharpens iron!! War Eagle."

Auburn has been very active in the transfer portal this year. Ever since hiring coach Freeze, the Tigers have brought in multiple talented players to help them win games in the SEC. Some of the big names Auburn has gotten out of the portal are former UAB running back Brian Battie, former LSU linebacker DeMario Tolan, and former Kentucky defensive lineman Justin Rogers.

Coach Freeze is going to have to pick the right guy for the job because according to Sports Illustrated, the Tigers have the 12th hardest schedule in all of college football this upcoming season. Some of the tougher matchups will be Week 4 at Texas A&M, Week 5 against No. 1 Georgia, Week 7 at No.7 LSU, and the annual Iron Bowl against No.6 Alabama.

Auburn might have one of the tougher schedules this year but the program may have found its quarterback to lead the way.