Despite a shakeup in the coaching staff, and added talent in the wide receiver room, one question remains. Who will be the 2024 Auburn starting quarterback? That has been a question around the football program for the last few seasons since the exit of Bo Nix. He found success at Oregon, and Auburn has not found answers since his departure. The current room features one veteran and three players with little to no experience. Quarterback very well could be the only thing holding back the Tigers’ offense.
Who Will Be the 2024 Auburn Quarterback?
Payton Thorne
2024 will be the second season on the Plains for Payton Thorne after transferring from Michigan State last Spring. The next few months will be pivotal for Thorne. He did not arrive at Auburn last year until after the spring so getting that time will be very important. Going into the Music City Bowl against Maryland it seemed that Thorne was a lock to be the Tigers starter in 2024. His poor performance in the 31-13 loss could have changed that expectation from head coach Hugh Freeze. Thorne went 13 of 27 for 84 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Five times in 2023 he failed to throw for over 100 yards. He did show value with his rushing ability but will need to improve with Freeze taking over the play-calling duties.
Hank Brown
The Music City Bowl loss was not all negative when it pertained to the quarterback. Freshman quarterback Hank Brown had the Auburn family buzzing after some good drives late in the game when a comeback was out of reach. He entered the game with 7:42 left and went two for two to set up an Auburn touchdown. Brown connected with Camden Brown for 12 yards, and Caleb Burton for 53 yards to set up a Jeremiah Cobb touchdown. In his next possession, the Tigers got inside the red zone but failed to add points. Brown was a three-star recruit in the 2023 class out of Nashville, Tennessee. He showed a quick release, and a willingness to push the football down the field. Brown should push Thorne in the spring for the starting position.
Holden Geriner
Freeze has been very complimentary of Holden Geriner since he arrived at Auburn. Others have labeled Geriner as the best pure thrower of the football on the team. Another commentary that some have put out there is that he does not handle pressure from the defense well. That has been proven correct in the limited time he has seen. In his two years at Auburn, he is seven of 18 for 83 yards and zero touchdowns. He threw an interception against Maryland before giving way to Brown. The former four-star recruit out of Georgia will need to show great improvement to beat out both Thorne and Brown.
Walker White
Understandably, many people want to just talk about the wide receivers added in the 2024 recruiting class. The additions of Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, Bryce Cain, and Malcolm Simmons bring a lot of excitement. It has been praised nationally, and 247sports named it the best wide receiver class in the country. Another key addition to that signing class is quarterback Walker White. The four-star recruit out of Little Rock, Arkansas is the quarterback of the future for Auburn. Nationally he ranks fourth at quarterback and the top prospect out of Arkansas. White brings great attributes as a passer but is also a dual threat. He led his high school team to a state championship game appearance. He threw for 2,282 yards and 29 touchdowns. On the ground, he had 346 yards and nine touchdowns. White most likely will not be the starter this upcoming season, but many eyes will be on him.
Who will be the 2024 Auburn quarterback? Let us know your opinion!
