Since Payton Thorne first arrived on campus, the Auburn football program has only been able to observe so much of him.
According to NCAA regulations, head coaches are not allowed to observe on-field practice during the summer, so Hugh Freeze is limited to using the transfer quarterback’s on-field performance at Michigan State as his model for throwing a football. Furthermore, when fall camp begins in two weeks, the Tigers will not necessarily experience anything like the player-led drills.
But it hasn’t taken long for Thorne, who announced his move to the Plains in early May, to make an impression on his new coaches.
“What I’ve been impressed with is his attention to detail, his desire to learn the systems, to be a leader, and to have position group meetings,” Freeze said Tuesday. “He definitely has those leadership qualities.”
