There is zero doubt that Hugh Freeze wants to improve upon last season’s passing numbers that ranked last in the SEC.
He added confidence to the offense by landing four talented in-state receivers from the high school recruiting cycle, as well as two experienced wide receivers in KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Robert Lewis.
The question now is at quarterback… will Payton Thorne allow the receivers to reach their full potential?
Brad Crawford of 247Sports has doubts regarding Thorne’s ability to remain consistent throughout the season. In his piece titled 50 thoughts on college football’s 2024 season: Predictions, analysis, more.
Crawford predicts that Freeze will regret not pursuing a quarterback within the transfer portal this offseason citing Thorne’s inconsistent tendencies.
Freeze shared recently that he “believed” in his quarterback room, and feels that building a solid receiver room will bring out the best in Thorne.
Thorne is poised to return to the QB1 role in 2024, and will look to return to his 2021 form when he threw for 3,240 yards and 27 touchdowns as a sophomore at Michigan State.
The Auburn Tigers have a new offensive coordinator, new wide receivers and renewed competition at quarterback.
Hugh Freeze & Co. are hoping that formula will be good enough to make big strides in the passing game next season.
In fact, it’s likely essential in improving on the 6-7 record from Freeze’s debut season with the Tigers, who wrapped up their spring practices on Saturday.
Freeze says returning starter Payton Thorne will enter fall camp in “the pole position” at quarterback, but that he doesn’t have a big lead over Hank Brown and Holden Geriner.
The Tigers’ coach, who hired longtime Mississippi assistant Derrick Nix as offensive coordinator, had indicated before the Music City Bowl that Thorne would retain the job next season.
