Hugh Freeze spoke at an alumni event on Wednesday and, among other things, talked about Auburn’s use of the transfer portal this offseason. Auburn did more than just add former Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne to the roster. The Tigers saw 19 players leave via the portal, and so far they’ve brought in 17 transfers to replenish what was lost.

“I don’t care where they come from. My question is, do they improve our roster? If we have a spot and they improve our roster, then we need to go on them,” Freeze said, per Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson.

The Tigers did exactly that in adding Thorne. And Freeze told those gathered at the AMBUSH event that the Michigan State transfer quarterback is already on campus and already hard at work.

“Man, he didn’t wait,” Freeze said, per Adam Cole of the Opelika-Auburn News. “He’s already in there watching film on his own and learning stuff. He’s anxious to get with the team and start working out.”

Thorne committed to the Tigers on May 5. After starting each of the last 2 years for the Michigan State Spartans — and helping lead a surprise 11-2 season in 2021 — he sought a new challenge. During his time in East Lansing, he threw for 6,493 yards with 55 total touchdowns and 24 interceptions.

That experience, regardless of whether Thorne starts at Auburn, will make the room better.

And Robby Ashford, who made 9 starts for the Tigers in 2022, has taken the addition in stride. When Thorne initially announced his commitment, Ashford tweeted, “Let’s work. Iron sharpens iron.” That mentality has persisted, Freeze told supporters on Wednesday.

“Robby’s handling things extremely well,” Freeze said, per Cole. “I’m proud of him for that. Every team at this level is going to have competition at every position if you want to be good. You’re going to have four quarterbacks … and we’ve got to go compete and figure out what’s best for our football team. I think it’s vital that all of our quarterbacks are doing a lot this summer to prepare.”