Comparing the two most impactful transfers in the SEC
Auburn knew they needed a quarterback going into the spring portal window, and they got their guy in Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne. Although Alabama already has four blue-chip quarterbacks on the roster, their QB room was not up to par for Nick Saban and Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees. Rees, connected with his former starting quarterback at Notre Dame, Tyler Buchner. With the quarterback rooms set, let's take a dive into each one and compare.
Buchner, who, as mentioned earlier, was at Notre Dame with Rees, was their starter for the 2022 season and played in three games for the Fighting Irish. He also played in ten games during his freshman season.
Tyler Buchner-Statistics
949 yards passing on 118 attempts
67-118 for a completion percentage of 56.8
6 TD- 8 INT
Passing efficiency rating of 127.6
82 rushing attempts for 459 yards
7 rushing touchdowns with 3 fumbles, and one lost fumble
Payton Thorne was the MSU Spartans starting QB for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, so the sample size comparisons aren't even, yet they still shine a light on what the Auburn Tigers can expect of Thorne if he is named the starter over Robby Ashford and Holden Gernier.
Payton Thorne-Statistics
6,493 yards on 861 attempts
525-861 for a completion percentage of 61.0
49 TD- 24 INT
Passer efficiency rating of 137.5
270 rushing yards on 167 attempts
6 rushing touchdowns with 6 fumbles and 3 lost fumbles
The edge definitely goes to Thorne due to experience and durability, as he was not injured in the 2022 season. Dating back to their high school days, Buchner was a high four-star recruit that committed to Notre Dame in March 2019. Thorne was a three-star out and committed to one of his only power five offers, Michigan State, in 2018. Both have somehow made their way to the state of Alabama and, barring injury, are predicted to face off in the 2023 Iron Bowl.
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