The Auburn Tigers boast “One of the Better Quarterback Rooms,” according to Hugh Freeze.

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze has never been one to shy away from high expectations, and as the Tigers gear up for a pivotal 2025 season, the second-year coach is already confident in a key area: the quarterback room.

Following spring practices and the Tigers’ annual A-Day game, Freeze went on record saying, “We’ve got one of the better quarterback rooms in the SEC—maybe even the country. It’s deep, it’s talented, and it’s competitive. That’s exactly what you want.”

For a program long known for its proud quarterback tradition—think Pat Sullivan, Cam Newton, Jason Campbell, and Nick Marshall—Auburn has endured years of instability under center. Now, Freeze believes that narrative is shifting in his favor, and he’s not just throwing out praise for show. The competition, skill, and experience within Auburn’s quarterback room provide legitimate reasons for optimism.

The 2024 season was a mixed bag for Auburn. Freeze’s offense showed flashes but remained inconsistent. The Tigers finished 8–5, with quarterback play often hovering between promising and pedestrian. But the groundwork was laid. Freeze and his staff hit the recruiting trail hard, and they scoured the transfer portal with a surgeon’s precision.

The result? A quarterback room in 2025 that features a blend of returning experience, high-upside youth, and a transfer addition that could be the missing piece.

At the heart of the quarterback battle is senior Payton Thorne. The former Michigan State transfer started most of the 2024 season, showing poise and leadership while learning Freeze’s complex scheme. While he wasn’t flashy, he was steady—throwing for over 2,500 yards and 17 touchdowns against nine interceptions.

“I’ve grown a lot in this offense,” Thorne said after spring practice. “The communication is better, the timing is better, and I feel like this is my team now. But I also know how talented the guys behind me are.”

Thorne’s experience gives him a leg up, but Freeze hasn’t committed to any starter publicly. He’s encouraged competition—and that competition is fierce.

The name on everyone’s lips this spring has been Walker White.

The highly touted redshirt freshman and former four-star recruit turned heads during A-Day with a dual-threat performance reminiscent of some of Auburn’s best quarterbacks. He showed off a strong arm, solid command of the offense, and the kind of athleticism that could give defenses nightmares.

“Walker’s special,” Freeze said. “He’s got that ‘it’ factor. He’s still learning, but the ceiling is sky-high.”

White’s development represents a major win for Auburn’s quarterback pipeline. While some fans and media speculate that he may not be ready to start Week 1, others believe his rise could be too explosive to ignore.

Not to be overlooked is the addition of junior quarterback Hank Brown, a former Liberty quarterback who followed Freeze’s system during his early college years and rejoined the coach this offseason via the transfer portal.

Brown, who excelled in Conference USA with over 3,000 passing yards and 27 touchdowns last year, provides an intriguing veteran option. His understanding of Freeze’s offense is unmatched, and he’s shown an ability to extend plays and make smart decisions under pressure.

“I’m just here to compete and help this team however I can,” Brown said. “Whether it’s starting, backing up, or helping in the film room—I trust Coach Freeze and this staff. I believe in this program.”

Rounding out the room is Holden Geriner, a former four-star recruit who’s quietly put together a strong spring. While his name hasn’t dominated headlines, Freeze noted that Geriner’s command of the offense has “taken a major step forward” and praised his professionalism.

“He’s smart, he’s accurate, and he’s kept himself right in the mix,” Freeze said. “That says a lot about who he is.”

Geriner might be QB4 on paper, but Freeze isn’t ruling out any surprises. Injuries and in-season shifts are common in college football, and Auburn’s depth could prove crucial.

For the first time in years, Auburn’s quarterback situation feels less like a desperation play and more like a controlled competition. The depth chart is stacked, not patched. There’s a long-term vision instead of a short-term Band-Aid.

“It’s the healthiest room I’ve been around in a long time,” Freeze noted. “There’s a brotherhood here. They push each other, but they also support each other. That’s rare.”

It’s a notable departure from past years, when Auburn often seemed caught between misfiring transfers and underdeveloped recruits. Now, with a balanced mix of youth and experience, the Tigers finally appear positioned to let the best man win without risking the overall integrity of the offense.

Auburn’s schedule doesn’t do it any favors. With road trips to Alabama, Georgia, and Texas A&M, the Tigers will need consistency and composure at the quarterback position. Freeze knows it.

“You’re not winning in this league unless you have great quarterback play,” Freeze said. “We’ve got a group that can be great. Now it’s about execution and leadership.”

The Tigers also return key pieces around the QB position—an experienced offensive line, a dynamic running back room led by Jeremiah Cobb, and a wide receiver corps that Freeze called “the most improved unit on the team.”

Add that to a defense led by standout linebacker Eugene Asante and a veteran secondary, and Auburn looks less like a rebuilding program and more like a potential dark horse in the SEC West.

The improved quarterback room isn’t just an asset for the 2025 season—it’s already making waves on the recruiting trail.

Four-star 2026 QB prospect Chris Washington mentioned Auburn’s quarterback development as a major reason the Tigers are in his top three. “Coach Freeze has a plan for QBs. You can tell guys are getting better in that system,” he told 247Sports.

That narrative—of growth, competition, and structure—could help Auburn return to the national recruiting conversation at the quarterback position, something that’s eluded them since the days of Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham.

Calling Auburn’s quarterback room “one of the better” in the country might seem bold on the surface—especially given recent history—but Hugh Freeze isn’t known for conservative takes. More importantly, he’s not backing down from expectations.

“We’ve got a real shot this year,” Freeze said. “The guys in that room give me confidence. And they give this team belief.”

Whether it’s Payton Thorne’s steady leadership, Walker White’s breakout potential, Hank Brown’s system knowledge, or Holden Geriner’s resilience, Auburn enters 2025 with more than hope—it enters with options.

And in the SEC, that’s everything.

1. Payton Thorne (Senior) – Steady, experienced, and the likely starter if the season began today.
2. Walker White (R-Fr.) – Future star in the making, pushing hard to unseat Thorne before Week 1.
3. Hank Brown (Jr., Transfer) – System veteran who offers security and depth.
4. Holden Geriner (R-So.) – Dark horse candidate who brings intelligence and quiet confidence.

In a league dominated by quarterback play, Auburn may finally have found the right mix to thrive. The names may not yet carry the national cachet of a Caleb Williams or Quinn Ewers, but Freeze’s comments weren’t made in jest. Auburn’s quarterback room is deeper, more talented, and more competitive than it’s been in years.

For a fanbase hungry for relevance and results, that’s more than just encouraging—it’s the beginning of something potentially special on The Plains