Why new Auburn transfer QB Payton Thorne is 'really good fit' for Tigers

After months of searching, and after multiple other situations that didn’t work out, Hugh Freeze and Auburn have finally landed a long-waited new quarterback via the transfer portal.

In Payton Thorne, the former Michigan State QB who committed to the Tigers Friday afternoon, Auburn adds a veteran starter who accumulated totals of 5,919 passing yards and 46 passing touchdowns the last two seasons.

The Tigers had recently hosted another transfer quarterback on a visit, former Nebraska and Texas QB Casey Thompson, but Auburn’s staff was higher on Thorne.

While Thorne regressed in 2022 with just 2,679 passing yards, 19 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions as the Spartans finished 5-7, his 2021 production included 3,240 passing yards, 27 touchdown passes, four additional rushing scores and only 10 interceptions while helping Michigan State post an 11-2 record.

So why does he make sense as an addition for Auburn? To provide better perspective on that, On3 gathered feedback from a combination of four coaches and personnel staffers familiar with Thorne, including one Power Five personnel director who views this as a “really good fit” for Freeze and Auburn.

“I think, personally, he’s going to bring leadership, accuracy, toughness and game experience,” the personnel director said. “I think he’s one of the more accurate quarterbacks that’s been out there. He can sit in the pocket. He’s got good feet. He can hit first and second level (throws) really well. Third level, he’s got good enough arm strength to push the ball there. I think you can do a variety of things with him.”

“I think he’s an excellent pickup for them,” a Big Ten defensive coach added. “Kid is a competitor.”

Thorne will join an Auburn QB room that includes returning starter Robby Ashford, who ran for 710 yards last season but completed just 49 percent of his passes, and others like promising redshirt freshman Holden Geriner.

While Freeze thought Ashford made nice progress during the spring, it was no secret that Auburn was hoping to be able to add another QB.

There had been excitement at Auburn during the winter about quarterback transfer options such as Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall before academic issues caused that to fall through. Others like former NC State and current Kentucky QB Devin Leary were of interest, too.

Ultimately, though, Auburn was able to land Thorne, who has the two years of starting experience but also still has two years of eligibility remaining.

“Way better player than he got credit for,” a Big Ten defensive coordinator said. “Athletic, tough, competitive. Think he played hurt last year. I was worried about his ability to keep plays alive (with his athleticism and mobility). I liked him.”

In addition to injuries, another factor that contributed to Thorne’s step back last season was the loss of several key members of his supporting cast from 2021.

Although Thorne did still have All-Big Ten wide receiver and eventual 2023 second-round NFL draft pick Jayden Reed, Michigan State lost All-American running back Kenneth Walker, starting wide receiver and 2022 NFL sixth-round draft pick Jalen Nailor, a fellow 2022 sixth-round draft pick in tight end Connor Heyward as well as three starting offensive linemen from that 2021 Spartans offense.

Nevertheless, Thorne ranked just ninth in the Big Ten in QB rating last year (131.19) after ranking fifth in 2021 (147.97).

Thorne was part of a competition for Michigan State’s starting quarterback job this spring before deciding to transfer.

“Solid player,” a Big Ten defensive coach said. “Good athlete. Did a good job identifying and checking versus rotations and pressures. Strong arm. But had two good wide receivers and a couple solid tight ends that, at times, made him look better than he really was. Would just throw it up to them and let them go make a play. Would have a couple random misses every game.”

Still, in the eyes of the Auburn staff, Thorne represents an upgrade and an important addition.

“I would say 2022, he probably tried to force it a little bit more,” a Power Five personnel official said. “And I just don’t think their offense (at Michigan State) was as balanced as it was when Kenneth Walker was there. When Kenneth was there, obviously teams had to bring their safeties up and try to stop the run game a whole lot more. I feel like he just had more freedom and vision to see the whole field clearly and know what’s coming.

“This past season, I don’t really think they had a great identity on offense. So I think the kid had to do a little bit more than what he wanted to. But I’m sure he’ll thrive in (Auburn’s) offense.”