How should Tigers fans feel about the current quarterback situation and the long-term projections behind center? Additionally, what will it be like with all the wide receiver talent the Tigers are bringing to the Plains?
First off, here are the 2024 Auburn snap counts to provide a baseline. Then, it's time to dive into the future of the Auburn football program.
Snap counts are per Pro Football Focus.
Auburn Quarterbacks
Payton Thorne - 620 snaps at quarterback, 3 at receiver.
149 of 239, 62.3%, 1,671 yards, 7.0 yards per attempt, 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
Robby Ashford - 130 snaps at quarterback, 1 snap playing slot receiver.
14 of 27, 51.9%, 145 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Holden Geriner - 32 snaps at quarterback, 1 snap playing slot receiver.
4 of 9, 44.4%, 67 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions.
Projections
Could at least one of Geriner or incoming freshman Walker White eventually challenge Thorne? It's possible, but let us start with the Music City Bowl first.
The way bowl games are shaped in the modern era, especially lower-level bowls like this one, it's a chance for players across the depth chart to show what they can do to close out the 2023 campaign and set an example for 2024 spring practice. Quarterback is no exception but it all starts with Thorne.
Against Maryland, Thorne needs to make good decisions with the football, being creative as a runner when possible (666 yards, 6.4 yards per carry, and 3 touchdowns so far this season), and creating chunk-yardage plays. Barring something unforeseen, look for Thorne to be Quarterback 1 against the Terrapins.
Maybe Geriner gets some snaps as Auburn battles Maryland? That's not likely because Freeze and his staff need the win to get momentum going into the offseason. It's unusual to randomly play a younger quarterback unless it is a blowout because inexperienced quarterback often lead to miscues and turnovers.
If Geriner does get a chance to play, hopefully he will produce points and helps the Tigers win. If not, it's a chance for Thorne to add to his career passing totals of 8,172 yards and 64 touchdowns, and also helping Auburn win. Now it's time to begin discussing the 2024 season in earnest.
Geriner's 32 snaps make him an unknown commodity and White is a highly-touted prospect without any college snaps that headlines Auburn's top-10 2024 recruiting class.
Meanwhile, in total, Thorne has 2,440 career snaps as a college football player in addition to his career passing numbers mentioned above. That's hard for Freeze and his staff to walk away from.
Thorne does need to develop more chemistry with each of the returning Auburn receivers. Jay Fair is Auburn's best 2024 returning receiver with 30 receptions, 300 yards, and 2 touchdowns. The same point applies to flex tight end Rivaldo Fairweather. He has 33 receptions, 349 yards, and 6 touchdowns so far in 2023. There's also help on the way.
The elite 2024 Auburn wide receiver class that includes Bryce Cain, Malcolm Simmons, Perry Thompson, and Cameron Coleman should provide immediate dividends for Thorne and all the Auburn quarterbacks.
If Thorne can develop a bond with these young playmakers, in addition to more chemistry with Fair and Fairweather among others, it's going to make his job all that much easier. That's the other reason Auburn's spring practice will be exciting.
Spring ball will allow all of the quarterbacks and receivers to work on timing and rhythm, and the Auburn offensive staff to centralize what works from their playbook with the upcoming 2024 roster.
It's going to be fun to watch the offense materialize. That fact bodes well for the future no matter which quarterback ends up being the 2024 starting quarterback.
Recruiting Pages to Bookmark
2024 Auburn Commitments and Evaluations
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