We're speaking to QB Payton Thorne for the first time since he transferred to Auburn...
** Thorne says he’s always going to compete but it feels comfortable knowing he’s coming out with the 1’s now.
** It was a quick thing that happened — his transfer from Michigan State. It was a no-brainer to come to Auburn after talking with Freeze and Montgomery.
** Thorne visited Auburn with his dad for about nine hours. The time was mainly spent watching film. Really liked Freeze’s and Montgomery’s track record of coaching quarterbacks and having explosive offenses.
** Shane Hooks makes plays and understands how to run routes.
** Been here three months, loves it down here. His kind of place. “Just good people. People are just nicer down here.” Mentions everybody goes to church, which is he I believes in.
** Thorne grew up around football his whole life. Dad was a coach and a QB before that.
** Our running back room is loaded. A number of guys can go out there and get the job done.
** We will be able to run the football. OL has that capability and got the running backs.
** Auburn offense is definitely different. RPO is a big part of offense. Did some RPO at MSU but not a ton. More spread and more up tempo here. Done that in the past but wasn’t a staple at MSU.
** Used to vacation in Destin, Fla., every year growing up.
** Good competition with Robby Ashford. Wasn’t toxic. Have a lot of respect for Robby.
** Thorne feels like accuracy is one of his strengths. Feels like they’ve been efficient when going up-tempo. Feels like he can process things quickly, which you have to do in this offense.
** On leadership, Thorne says he just tries to be me and not someone else. Feels like it’s important to know everybody’s name as a part of leadership.
** Focused on playing well to win games, not to keep his job. Got a big season ahead of us with a lot of big games.
** Relationship with Freeze has been good. Different in a good way having a head coach that is offensive coordinated. Freeze pushes him.
** On playing 1 or 2 years at Auburn: Focus is on winning games. Everything else will take care of itself. Would like to win and put himself in position to make a decision at end of year.
** Big responsibility playing here at Auburn and in the SEC. Take it very seriously. Understand position I'm in. Best way to deal with pressure: I believe the Heavenly Father is in control and I'm going to turn it over to him. I'm going to focus on that and work as hard as I can.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
** Thorne says he’s always going to compete but it feels comfortable knowing he’s coming out with the 1’s now.
** It was a quick thing that happened — his transfer from Michigan State. It was a no-brainer to come to Auburn after talking with Freeze and Montgomery.
** Thorne visited Auburn with his dad for about nine hours. The time was mainly spent watching film. Really liked Freeze’s and Montgomery’s track record of coaching quarterbacks and having explosive offenses.
** Shane Hooks makes plays and understands how to run routes.
** Been here three months, loves it down here. His kind of place. “Just good people. People are just nicer down here.” Mentions everybody goes to church, which is he I believes in.
** Thorne grew up around football his whole life. Dad was a coach and a QB before that.
** Our running back room is loaded. A number of guys can go out there and get the job done.
** We will be able to run the football. OL has that capability and got the running backs.
** Auburn offense is definitely different. RPO is a big part of offense. Did some RPO at MSU but not a ton. More spread and more up tempo here. Done that in the past but wasn’t a staple at MSU.
** Used to vacation in Destin, Fla., every year growing up.
** Good competition with Robby Ashford. Wasn’t toxic. Have a lot of respect for Robby.
** Thorne feels like accuracy is one of his strengths. Feels like they’ve been efficient when going up-tempo. Feels like he can process things quickly, which you have to do in this offense.
** On leadership, Thorne says he just tries to be me and not someone else. Feels like it’s important to know everybody’s name as a part of leadership.
** Focused on playing well to win games, not to keep his job. Got a big season ahead of us with a lot of big games.
** Relationship with Freeze has been good. Different in a good way having a head coach that is offensive coordinated. Freeze pushes him.
** On playing 1 or 2 years at Auburn: Focus is on winning games. Everything else will take care of itself. Would like to win and put himself in position to make a decision at end of year.
** Big responsibility playing here at Auburn and in the SEC. Take it very seriously. Understand position I'm in. Best way to deal with pressure: I believe the Heavenly Father is in control and I'm going to turn it over to him. I'm going to focus on that and work as hard as I can.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
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