Auburn’s Quarterback Room Faces Major Changes Heading into 2025
Auburn’s quarterback room is experiencing a significant shake-up as the Tigers head into the offseason. After the conclusion of the 2024 season, a couple of key departures from the transfer portal have left the room a bit thinner than expected, adding yet another layer of uncertainty to Auburn’s quarterback position. This shift was most notably triggered by the departure of Walker White, a reserve quarterback who had been one of the backup options for the Tigers. White, who had been with Auburn since his commitment, has now decided to move on and join another school, leaving Auburn with fewer experienced quarterbacks as they prepare for the 2025 season.
Walker White’s departure was part of a larger exodus of quarterbacks from Auburn, including Holden Geriner and Hank Brown, both of whom also opted to enter the transfer portal. This leaves Payton Thorne, the 2024 starting quarterback, as the lone experienced signal-caller remaining, but Thorne has now exhausted his eligibility. With a depleted quarterback room, Auburn’s coaching staff will have to work quickly to solidify their quarterback situation, especially given that the team is still reeling from a disappointing 5-7 season in 2024.
The loss of several quarterbacks has been coupled with growing concerns over the development of signal-callers under head coach Hugh Freeze. While Freeze and his staff made notable moves to try to develop Auburn’s quarterback position, White’s comments after his departure have ignited a firestorm of controversy and reflection on the state of quarterback development in the program.
Walker White’s Departure and Remarks
Following his commitment to another program, Walker White sat down with ESPN to discuss his decision to leave Auburn. While he spoke highly of Auburn’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Jake Spavital, he made it clear that his concerns were rooted in the overall quarterback development under Freeze’s leadership. White, a talented young quarterback, expressed frustrations with his lack of growth and playing time, subtly suggesting that he didn’t feel adequately developed under Freeze and the offensive staff.
White’s comments have sparked a mixed reaction from Auburn fans and analysts. While many sympathize with his frustrations, especially given the tumultuous 2024 season for the Tigers at the quarterback position, some have taken issue with his indirect critique of Freeze. White’s remarks were taken as a veiled jab at the program, with many interpreting his comments as an insinuation that Auburn’s quarterback development was lacking. While it’s important to note that White never explicitly called out Freeze, his words were seen as an implication that the Tigers’ coaching staff was unable to develop quarterbacks effectively.
In 2024, Auburn had its share of quarterback struggles. Payton Thorne, the Michigan State transfer who was supposed to be a stabilizing force for the offense, struggled throughout the season with turnovers and inconsistency. His performance, particularly his four-interception outing against Cal, resulted in him being benched for a brief period. Afterward, Hank Brown took over for a short stint, but his play also failed to stabilize the offense, leading to another quarterback change. Thorne was eventually reinserted as the starter, but despite occasional growth and flashes of promise, the Tigers’ passing game never found its rhythm.
Auburn’s Quarterback Struggles in 2024
In what became a difficult 5-7 season, Auburn’s offense struggled to produce consistent play at the quarterback position. Payton Thorne, in particular, was erratic, tossing multiple interceptions in key games and failing to lead the Tigers to a bowl game. His struggles were compounded by a lack of support from the offensive line and wide receivers, but the quarterback play itself was a significant part of Auburn’s overall offensive woes.
Thorne’s numbers were down significantly from his time at Michigan State, where he was regarded as a more efficient signal-caller. He entered Auburn with high expectations, hoping to revitalize his career under Freeze’s tutelage. However, the inability to develop a consistent passing game left the Tigers at a major disadvantage. Thorne had his moments, but in the end, his struggles helped contribute to a season that fell well below expectations. His final stats were underwhelming, and Auburn’s inability to establish a strong passing attack hurt the team’s chances of competing in the tough SEC.
The struggles didn’t end with Thorne. Both Geriner and Brown, while young, were not able to provide the stability Auburn needed either. Auburn found itself in a situation where multiple quarterbacks were tested, and none were able to emerge as consistent leaders. It’s clear that the quarterback position has been a major weakness for Auburn in 2024, and with several quarterbacks departing the program, the Tigers are left to figure out a way to turn things around.
The Incoming Quarterbacks: Deuce Knight and Jackson White
While the situation looks uncertain in the immediate future, Auburn is also looking toward the future with optimism. The Tigers recently added Deuce Knight, a highly regarded four-star quarterback from the 2025 recruiting class, to their roster. Knight is expected to be one of the top candidates to compete for the starting role in 2025. He brings a lot of raw talent and could provide the stability that Auburn has sorely lacked in recent years.
Knight’s commitment to Auburn is a significant boost to the Tigers’ quarterback room. As a four-star prospect, Knight is expected to compete immediately for the starting position, even with the Tigers still having several other quarterbacks in the mix. His potential to develop into a dynamic playmaker gives Auburn a much-needed foundation to build their offense around in the coming years.
However, Knight is not the only quarterback Auburn is bringing into the fold. Jackson White, a highly regarded transfer quarterback, has also committed to play for the Tigers, bolstering the room further. White, who previously played at Baylor, could be an immediate contender for the starting role. His transfer comes with high expectations, and he could provide the experience and leadership that Auburn needs at the position. White’s commitment to Auburn adds a layer of stability and depth to a quarterback room that is currently lacking in both.
What’s Next for Auburn’s Quarterback Room?
With the departure of several quarterbacks and a slew of incoming talent, Auburn’s quarterback situation heading into 2025 is fluid and uncertain. Hugh Freeze and his offensive staff will need to prove their ability to develop a starting quarterback out of the young and talented group they’ve assembled. The arrival of Deuce Knight, Jackson White, and a few other quarterbacks in the mix could provide Auburn with the competition needed to find the right fit for the offense.
However, the development of the quarterback position remains a significant concern for many fans and analysts. Auburn will need to show that it can not only recruit top-tier quarterbacks but also develop them into consistent and effective signal-callers. Freeze has a proven track record of developing quarterbacks at other stops, but he will be under immense pressure to do the same at Auburn, especially with the criticism surrounding the program’s struggles at the position in 2024.
As Auburn looks ahead to 2025, the quarterback competition will be one of the most important storylines to follow. With a more streamlined roster and fresh competition, Auburn will have a chance to finally address its quarterback issues and, hopefully, put an end to the ongoing struggles that have plagued the position in recent years. The success or failure of this unit will have a direct impact on the Tigers’ ability to compete in the SEC and beyond.
