Every Tuesday right here you can read The Auburn Corner, where we’ll get into a different topic on the Auburn Tigers, break down the previous game, preview the upcoming game, and everything in between. In this week’s edition, with Robby Ashford committing to South Carolina today, let’s make sense of who is going to be throwing the ball for Auburn in 2024:
To say Payton Thorne was a disappointment in his first season as an Auburn Tiger would be an understatement. He threw for just over 1,700 yards along with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also added over 500 rushing yards; however, for most of the season, the Tiger’s passing game was almost non-existent.
Thorne capped off the dud of a season with perhaps his worst performance in an Auburn uniform in the Music City Bowl against Maryland where the Tigers were embarrassed 31-13.
All this being said, with Ashford moving on and no transfer quarterback coming in, Thorne appears set to enter the spring as the leader in the clubhouse once again.
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The Tigers do bring in 4-star freshman Walker White from Little Rock, Arkansas. But it’s unlikely he will start before 2025, barring something unforeseen.
Holden Geriner, who was the third string this season but did not show much in limited action, did not enter the transfer portal despite expectation that he would do so.
Hank Brown, a true freshman in the past season, was brought in by Hugh Freeze from Liberty, showed some promise in the bowl game and could factor into the mix as well.
Freeze said after the bowl game that it would be an open competition once again in the spring and everyone would have a chance to compete.
With Thorne having the early advantage due to experience in the system, he will enter the spring as the starter but is not guaranteed anything. After Thorne, it will be a battle for the backup spot between Hank Brown, Holden Geriner, and Walker White.
Auburn fans should hope to see White seize the spot if he is to be the quarterback of the future for the Tigers.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
