Podcaster suggests that Payton Thorne's move from Michigan State to Auburn shouldn't be a surprise

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne is now an Auburn Tiger.

The Tigers were in search of a new starting quarterback, and the expectation among fans is that Thorne comes in and wins the job in fall camp with (relative) ease.

It's unknown how Hugh Freeze is going to play things out before Auburn takes the field vs UMass, but expect incumbent Robby Ashford to push for the job regardless.

The transfer came as a shock to some across the national college football landscape, but one podcaster believes that Thorne's move to leave Michigan State may not be as big of a surprise as some have made it out to be.

Matthew Sheehan, host of the Locked On Spartans podcast, joined Zac Blackerby of the Locked On Auburn podcast to discuss Thorne's move.

"It's one of those things where in hindsight we should have saw this coming or maybe not be so shocked because sure, it did happen at midnight before the transfer portal window closed," Sheehan said. "Then you actually sit down and think for a little bit... and yeah, ok this guy is in his third year as a starting quarterback. He's now thrust into this staring quarterback battle, which on the surface isn't the greatest thing in the world."

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker decided to open up the quarterback battle this spring, saying he expected a "fierce competition" between Thorne and redshirt freshman Katin Hauser. Noah Kim was also in the mix.

According to Sheehan, the MSU fanbase was not in support of Thorne winning the job over Hauser.

"During that battle it seems like 80% of (the Michigan State) fanbase is rooting against (Thorne) as well," Sheehan said. "So his option A was 'come to a school where I don't even know if I'm going to be the starting quarterback... the fanbase doesn't really seem to want me in this thing,' or hey option B, 'Auburn is telling me how pretty I am. Auburn wants me to come down and play some SEC ball. We get a fresh start...' What would you pick, you know?"

Thorne finished an accomplished quarterback at Michigan State, setting single-season records for total yards, total touchdowns and passing touchdowns. He ranks fifth in career total touchdowns, fifth in career total yards, fourth in career passing touchdowns and third in single-season passing yards.

He'll bring experience, consistency, and leadership to an Auburn team that has desperately needed it for the past two seasons.

"When you really think about it, maybe it shouldn't have been this big surprise even though he was in the lead to start for Michigan State heading into the offseason."

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