Hugh Freeze updates Auburn football's spring transfer happenings, Payton Thorne on campus
LAGRANGE, Ga. — Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze spoke at an alumni event on Wednesday evening. But before doing so, Freeze spoke to the media about the Tigers’ spring football transfer portal happenings.
PAYTON THORNE HAS ARRIVED: Michigan State transfer quarterback Payton Thorne is on campus and participating in team activities, Freeze confirmed on Wednesday.
- Thorne visited Auburn before making his commitment, Freeze confirmed. Thorne visited with his family days before his commitment, even though the visit didn’t garner much public attention, probably by design.
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THE OTHERS ARE ARRIVING SOON: Jaden Muskrat, Caleb Burton, Jalen McLeod, Jyaire Shorter and Larry Nixon are expected to arrive at Auburn soon.
- “We expect all of the current team, the discretionary period runs through Memorial Day (May 29). The following day is when we return to team activities. That’s when we expect everybody to be here and ready to go.”
- That report date includes all 21 high-school signees. Freeze said “there’s two” that haven’t finished up everything academically to qualify and arrive on the expected date.
- Freeze mentioned feeling good about one, while the other, “truthfully, I have a hard time what to feel, really.”
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JYAIRE SHORTER, LARRY NIXON ADDITIONS: Both Shorter and Nixon have signed. Shorter is a deep-ball threat, while Nixon is a “tackling machine,” per Freeze.
- Shorter averaged over 27 yards per catch last season where 11 of his 23 receptions went for touchdowns.
- Freeze mentioned that Auburn made a “gut call” on Shorter, given his past injury concerns. “We’re optimistic and believe he will be 100 percent.”
- “He’s a deep-ball threat that has proven he can go get the ball. He has a catch radius that gives us what we need for what we want to do offensively.”
- Nixon tallied over 240 tackles in his North Texas career, including over 100 during the 2022 season.
- “He led Conference USA in tackles. He’s a great addition to us also. We’re excited about both of those guys.”
AUBURN NOT FINISHED? Freeze said on Wednesday the Tigers are still looking to add more players to the roster, but not many.
- Freeze said Auburn had one transfer player on campus on Wednesday (Hooks) and said another player was visiting this weekend (May 19-20).
