Good morning, Bunk.
News broke overnight that former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward, one of the top two or three quarterbacks to have hit the portal during this window, was nearing a decision and that Auburn was among the schools he's considering.
He then announced just this morning, minutes ago in fact, that he plans to declare for the NFL Draft.
Ward spoke with Auburn during the past 48 hours or so, which I believe was for the first time. As you'd expect, Ward relayed to Auburn a dollar figure that was seeking.
We're having to read tea leaves here, but:
• The number wasn't ridiculous, though it was north of $1 million
• The number was higher than Auburn was willing to spend — at least right now
We believe Auburn provided Ward a snapshot of what it viewed as a lucrative NIL deal for him. The dollar figure there was for less than $1 million, but it nonetheless was the largest offer the Tigers have seriously discussed with any transfer so far.
Ward apparently isn't coming here or any other school, but it's nonetheless telling that Auburn is at least entertaining the idea of paying out big money for a transfer quarterback. Hugh Freeze seemed adamant just a few weeks ago that he was prepared to build around Payton Thorne in 2024. While that plan hasn't been aborted, it also isn't exactly set in stone.
Thank you for being a subscriber to AuburnSports.com.
News broke overnight that former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward, one of the top two or three quarterbacks to have hit the portal during this window, was nearing a decision and that Auburn was among the schools he's considering.
He then announced just this morning, minutes ago in fact, that he plans to declare for the NFL Draft.
Ward spoke with Auburn during the past 48 hours or so, which I believe was for the first time. As you'd expect, Ward relayed to Auburn a dollar figure that was seeking.
We're having to read tea leaves here, but:
• The number wasn't ridiculous, though it was north of $1 million
• The number was higher than Auburn was willing to spend — at least right now
We believe Auburn provided Ward a snapshot of what it viewed as a lucrative NIL deal for him. The dollar figure there was for less than $1 million, but it nonetheless was the largest offer the Tigers have seriously discussed with any transfer so far.
Ward apparently isn't coming here or any other school, but it's nonetheless telling that Auburn is at least entertaining the idea of paying out big money for a transfer quarterback. Hugh Freeze seemed adamant just a few weeks ago that he was prepared to build around Payton Thorne in 2024. While that plan hasn't been aborted, it also isn't exactly set in stone.
Thank you for being a subscriber to AuburnSports.com.
