With the Auburn football season officially over, the focus shifts to the transfer portal, which opens on December 9 and closes on December 28. The Tigers have multiple areas to address, but the most pressing need is at quarterback.
With Payton Thorne finishing his eligibility and Holden Geriner entering the transfer portal, Auburn’s only remaining scholarship quarterbacks are Hank Brown and Walker White, along with incoming freshman Deuce Knight. This leaves Auburn with a clear need for an experienced signal-caller to compete for the starting role.
Since taking over at Auburn, head coach Hugh Freeze has been committed to maintaining four scholarship quarterbacks on the roster each year. The team will undoubtedly pursue a high-caliber quarterback in the transfer portal, and it’s possible they could add two, depending on Brown’s status, as there have been rumors of him potentially transferring as well.
Despite Freeze’s earlier reluctance to pay top dollar for a transfer quarterback, this season’s struggles at the position have made it clear that Auburn must be more aggressive in securing an experienced and capable quarterback. But for Freeze, it’s not just about talent—fit is a critical factor. Freeze recently expressed that while he believes freshman Deuce Knight has significant potential, starting in the SEC as a true freshman is a challenge, especially for a team looking to quickly return to form.
As the portal opens, Auburn is expected to move quickly, scheduling visits with top quarterback prospects to fill this crucial spot for the 2024 season.
