Sports Illustrated ranks SEC quarterbacks ahead of fall camp

Robby Ashford will compete with Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne this summer for the starting quarterback role at Auburn.

SEC football in 2023 will feature a healthy mix of returning stars, incoming transfers, and quarterbacks who will gain control of their respective offenses for the first time.

At Auburn, there will be a compelling quarterback battle between incumbent starter [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] and Michigan State transfer [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag]. Thorne brings experience to the table, but Ashford has much more experience against SEC defenses. Auburn fans will follow the fierce competition closely until a starter is named.

Ahead of fall camp, Sports Illustrated’s Crissy Froyd revealed her SEC quarterback rankings. Due to Auburn not having announced a starter, Froyd listed Ashford as Auburn’s representative. Ashford checks into the list at No. 11 ahead of Missouri’s Brady Cook, Florida‘s Graham Mertz and Vanderbilt’s AJ Swann.

Ashford took over the starting quarterback role during Auburn’s loss to Penn State following the injury to former quarterback [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag]. Ashford appeared in all 12 of Auburn’s games in 2022, ending the season with 1,613 passing yards and seven passing touchdowns. On his feet, he rushed for a 710 yards and seven touchdowns.

Ashford went through spring practice with Auburn, which is something Thorne can not say. Thorne has nearly three seasons of starting experience, however, which will play a huge role in the quarterback competition this summer.

Here’s a full look at Froyd’s QB rankings ahead of this fall’s schedule.

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