In this week’s “Auburn Corner,” we dive into the latest developments surrounding the Auburn Tigers, especially with the significant changes in the quarterback room heading into the offseason. After two underwhelming seasons on offense under head coach Hugh Freeze, the quarterback situation was always going to see a shake-up. With Payton Thorne out of eligibility and other quarterbacks like Hank Brown and Holden Geriner also departing, Auburn’s quarterback room is set to feature an entirely new group of players next season.
The most surprising development came when freshman Walker White, a former four-star recruit, also entered the transfer portal. His decision to leave further solidified that Auburn would be starting fresh at the position, with no returning quarterbacks from the previous season. While some departures were expected, White’s exit added another twist to the ongoing changes.
Auburn’s new starting quarterback is expected to be Jackson Arnold, a former five-star recruit from Oklahoma who will transfer to Auburn after a less-than-ideal stint in Norman. Despite not finding success at Oklahoma, Arnold still carries three years of eligibility and has the potential to thrive under Freeze’s coaching. If Freeze and his staff can unlock Arnold’s high school potential, he could become the Tigers’ starting quarterback for the next two seasons.
In addition to Arnold, the quarterback battle will likely include five-star freshman Deuce Knight, who will compete for the backup role with Ashton Daniels, a former Stanford quarterback. Daniels had initially committed to Auburn before Arnold signed, but still chose to join the Tigers’ quarterback room, creating an interesting competition for playing time.
There’s also the possibility that Auburn could add a third quarterback from the portal if Freeze decides to bring in another experienced player to provide depth. While starting over with a completely new quarterback room is no guarantee of success, after a disappointing season at the position, this fresh start seems to be a necessary move for the Tigers as they look to improve their offensive production next year.
