Hugh Freeze continues to back his hand-picked choice to run the Auburn football offense, Payton Thorne. Two weeks ahead of the Tigers’ opener against Alabama A&M, Freeze shared a mostly positive update on the QB’s grasp of his and Derrick Nix’s offense.

“We’re totally different than last year,” Coach Freeze said on August 16 (h/t On SI). “In the spring until now, his understanding of what the expectations are from him have grown leaps and bounds. He does some things out there right now that I’m really, really proud. That doesn’t mean he always executes it exactly right, but he’s thinking the right way. And I think that only comes with reps and meetings that we have to understand what I really want you to get out of this play if this happens.”

Freeze and his first-year offensive coordinator, Philip Montgomery, didn’t see eye to eye in 2023, leading to a disjointed offense. Freeze having Nix as his right-hand man is perhaps the most important upgrade made to the offense this offseason.

It gets better, though. The Freeze Four — Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, Malcolm Simmons, and Bryce Cain — are the most talented WR group Auburn has potentially ever had, and while they may not be Thorne’s top targets right away, experienced transfers KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Robert Lewis, and Sam Jackson V can be. Don’t forget returning tight end Rivaldo Fairweather, a favorite target of Thorne.

Payton Thorne has no excuses in 2024

Thorne faced an awkward situation in 2023, dealing with an offensive coordinator Freeze didn’t gel with and an associate head coach in Cadillac Williams who everyone knew wanted to be the head coach after a successful interim stint in 2022.

In 2024, he has the red carpet rolled out for him; full support from Freeze, no direct competition for QB1, and the most talented group of receivers Tiger fans have seen in years, if not decades.

There are no excuses for the former Michigan State star in 2024. If he’s not leading a 5-0 team or a 4-1 squad through September, there’s going to have to be an uncomfortable conversation about the second half of the season.