[autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] experienced plenty of criticism during the 2023 season, his first on the Plains.
The Michigan State transfer passed for 1,755 yards and 16 touchdowns while tossing 10 interceptions during his debut season, where he failed to reach 100 yards passing in five games. When evaluating his 2023 performance, a former Auburn quarterback feels that there was a reason for Thorne’s disappointing season.
In a recent interview with Taylor Korn of Uncorked, former Auburn quarterback [autotag]Jason Campbell[/autotag] says that Thorne’s first season was “rushed” and that Auburn fans can expect him to improve in year two under [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag].
“He got here in June and everything was a rush,” Campbell said. “As soon as he got here, he had to rush to get to know his teammates, rushed to learn the offense. He was pretty much learning on the go during the season, his first time in the system. It’s not like he had spring practice to go through. From that aspect of it, it makes him a year better.”
Not only will Thorne have another season to develop, but Freeze and his staff have done a great job of adding talented pieces to the offense to help him out. Auburn returns a solid running game led by [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag], and will have a revamped wide receiver room to go along with an experienced offensive line.
Campbell says that Auburn’s playmakers will allow Thorne to play more loose this season.
“He has all the ingredients he needs around him to make him have a successful year,” Campbell said. “The thing for Payton, is that he doesn’t need to trot on the field and win the game. He’s just gotta go out there and play his game. Not turn the ball over alot, keep us in good situations where we are not putting our defense’s back against the wall. Allow his playmakers to make plays, play loose and let it go.”
What else does Campbell think Thorne needs to do in order to succeed this season? Campbell says that Thorne needs to run the ball more, and win a big game early in order to carry confidence into the rest of the season. The first challenging game of the season for Auburn will be against Oklahoma on Sept. 28 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Could a win over the Sooners be enough to bring out the best in Thorne?
Will we see an improved Payton Thorne this season?
“He has all the ingredients that he needs around him to make him have a successful year…
A lot of his playmakers will make plays. Play loose, let it go…add his running dimension along with the playmakers they’re putting out… pic.twitter.com/EslkwJcVTH
— Taylor Korn (@TaylorKornTNR) June 29, 2024
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