In a stunning twist, quarterback Payton Thorne has reportedly pulled out of an informal agreement to return to Auburn for his final year of eligibility — a move that has left the coaching staff blindsided. Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze didn’t hold back in his post-practice interview when asked about Thorne’s decision. “We had conversations. We thought we were aligned,” Freeze said. “I respect Payton, but I’d be lying if I said this didn’t catch us off guard.”
Sources inside the program say Thorne had given verbal confirmation to remain with the Tigers and even began initial offseason preparations with staff. But just days before the official spring roster was finalized, Thorne informed Freeze he was stepping away from the program to explore other opportunities — possibly even stepping away from football altogether.
“I’m not mad, just disappointed,” Freeze added. “We had a vision for him here.”
Thorne, who transferred from Michigan State and started most of last season, has not made any public comments about the sudden reversal. Teammates were reportedly stunned and emotional during a closed-door meeting. Auburn fans, already anxious after a rocky season, are now left wondering who will lead the offense in 2025.
