Robby Ashford is taking the addition of former Michigan State QB Payton Thorne in stride, and has offered a response to the news.

“Let’s work,” he wrote on social media. “Iron sharpens iron!! War Eagle.”

Ashford’s reference is to Proverbs 27:17, and used regularly by players and coaches, particularly during winter weightlifting workouts.

Ashford, who made 9 starts for the Tigers in 2022 and passed for 1,1613 yards and over 2,300 all-purpose yards, just finished his second spring at Auburn since he transferred from Oregon in January 2022. He spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons at Oregon, but did not see game action. Ashford ranks 3rd in all Auburn freshman passing categories and 6th among Auburn all-time freshman rushers, with 709 yards rushing.

Ashford, like the other Auburn QBs, struggled during a rainy spring game. Ashford, TJ Finley and Holden Geriner combined to go 5-for-12 passing for 60 net yards. Ashford had one pass go for 39 yards alone.