Auburn transfer QB search could come down to two notable signal callers barring an unforeseen change

The Auburn Tigers are desperate for a quarterback in the Transfer Portal, and that hasn’t been a secret. The program will be losing starting quarterback Payton Thorne this offseason, and backups Hank Brown and Holden Geriner have also entered the transfer portal. That leaves one scholarship quarterback on the roster in true freshman Walker White, as well as 2025 signee Deuce Knight coming in.

With no experience heading into the 2025 season, the Tigers are in the market for two quarterbacks this portal cycle. They need to find a potential starting option, and another backup to help strengthen the depth. It appears that Auburn has circled in on a couple of quarterbacks to fill that need.

A few days ago, there was a prediction put in for Auburn to land former Stanford signal caller Ashton Daniels. The dual threat quarterback has thrown for 1,700 yards and 10 touchdowns this fall for Stanford. Daniels has also rushed for another 669 yards and three scores on the ground as well.

While Daniels does fit the Hugh Freeze offensive system well, he is not viewed as a potential starter for Auburn if they do land him. He is the backup option in this hypothetical, and their staff will still be aggressive trying to find a starter as well. Two names have surfaced for that potential spot.

Recently it was announced that former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold had set up a visit for Auburn, as well as another to Mississippi State. The other quarterback to know in this search is Maalik Murphy, who spent the 2024 season at Duke after transferring from Texas. Those are the two quarterbacks to know most, at least for right now.

According to a source, this situation could come down to who wants to commit to Auburn first between Arnold and Murphy. It appears they will be comfortable with taking either player, and it’s just a matter of one of them pulling the trigger. Those are the two quarterbacks that the fanbase needs to know for now.

Auburn is continuing their pursuit of another SEC quarterback behind the scenes, but they have not chosen to enter the portal, at least not yet. The timing is going to be an interesting conversation to consider for the Tigers. Will they wait for another player who hasn’t entered yet or be content with going with either Arnold or Murphy while the younger quarterbacks develop? That’s the major question to continue to consider, and doesn't have a clear answer at this point.