Hank Brown among top QB performers from Week 3 according to PFF
Hank Brown didn’t look like a freshman making his 1st career start on Saturday night against New Mexico.
And the analytics world took immediate notice, grading the Auburn quarterback with the 5th-highest rating among Power 4 QBs in Week 3. Brown was given an 89.6 rating by PFF College, ranking him above any other SEC quarterback in the pass grading system.
Top Graded Passers from Week 3🎯 pic.twitter.com/fWTudWFwx7
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 16, 2024
Brown threw for 235 yards and 4 touchdowns to lead the Tigers to a 45-19 rout of the Lobos at Jordan-Hare Stadium, possibly ushering in a new era of Auburn football if he can continue to have performances like that.
The redshirt freshman originally committed to play for Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze at Liberty, but now they’re both on the Plains, and Brown was picked to take over for Payton Thorne after Thorne was intercepted 4 times in a stunning Week 2 loss to California.
Brown threw 3 TD passes during the 2nd half on Saturday, with Freeze saying he “had a solid, solid first game” as the Tigers starter. Freeze said he made the decision to switch quarterbacks last Monday in the aftermath of the loss to the Bears but didn’t tell the team until Thursday.
“I’ve stood with Payton and still believe that he’s a good football player,” said Freeze.
The Tigers improved to 2-1 thanks to Brown, and now they head into their SEC opener on Saturday at home against Arkansas.
Not taking anything from Hank but both QBs could have won this game. Just like ALAM.
Auburn is an elite program in the SEC.
Period. Auburn needs to be competitive in the SEC.
I thought his performance gives AU fans reason for optimism. He played really well. Yes, the competition was really weak, but it was his first start and first major playing time. Thorne on the other hand has been a backup one season and a starter for 3, 4 if you count this season, at both Michigan State and AU. He has had ample time to work out his problems and simply is not good enough to play QB at this level. Brown, on the other hand, does not have the experience. He is going to make mistakes and some of them may be costly, but to me, that is better than playing someone that has proven over 4 years that they are not capable of performing at an elite level against P-4 competition on a consistent basis.
There is no upside to playing Thorne. He has no eligibility left. Playing Brown will at least give him some experience for next year and beyond, even if he does make some rookie mistakes. Bottom line in Thorne’s last game he threw 4 ints. In Browns last game he threw 4 tds. And neither were facing a good defense.
You are exactally right.