Payton Thorne named Auburn's starting QB, Hugh Freeze confirms

Payton Thorne is Auburn’s QB1 heading into the 2023 season. Hugh Freeze confirmed Thursday morning’s reports in an afternoon media availability.

Freeze expressed disappointment in the leak, noting that only 4 people were aware at the time.

Freeze sounded annoyed the news leaked early, but ceded that it’s a new world in media.

“Only four people knew that. I didn’t even tell the staff.”

— David Ubben (@davidubben) August 17, 2023

Hugh Freeze makes it official, naming Payton Thorne as Auburn’s starting quarterback for the season-opener against UMass Sept. 2.

— Bryan Matthews (@BMattAU) August 17, 2023

Thorne committed to Auburn on May 5. A veteran quarterback originally in the Class of 2019, Thorne spent the past 4 seasons at Michigan State.

In 2021, Thorne threw 27 TD passes, a single-season MSU record, as the Spartans went 11-2, winning a New Year’s Six bowl. He completed 60% of his passes for 3,233 yards, the most productive season of his career.

Michigan State was just 5-7 in the 2022 season. Thorne was 242-of-387 passing (62.5% complete) for 2,679 yards, 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season.

Thorne beat out Robby Ashford and Holden Geriner to win the starting job. Auburn opens the 2023 season at home on Sept. 2, facing UMass. The game is set for 2:30 p.m. CT/3:30 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN.