Auburn's Payton Thorne named top-five SEC transfer addition

The Tigers have pulled their projected starting quarterback out of the transfer portal.

Alongside 19 other valuable additions Hugh Freeze and his staff landed.

Payton Thorne, former Michigan State quarterback turned Auburn Tiger, is projected by a variety of outlets to be the Tigers' starting quarterback week one vs UMass despite not having taken a single rep in practice. Statistically, he's better than what the Tigers had coming back - Robby Ashford and Holden Geriner.

Barrett Sallee of CBS Sports recently released his top five SEC football transfers and included Thorne in the list.

Here's what Sallee had to say about Thorne:

"First-year Tigers coach Hugh Freeze arrived on the Plains with one goal in mind: kickstart an underperforming offense," Sallee wrote. "The passing game needed the most help, which is why Freeze lured Thorne away from Michigan State. Thorne threw for 6,493 yards and rushed for 270 yards in 29 games for the Spartans. He will have to battle with incumbent starter Robby Ashford during fall camp, but Thorne should have a leg up with Freeze looking to air it out in his return to the SEC."

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's not a dazzling arm talent but was excellent attacking downfield in his two seasons with the Spartans. He's a great system fit for Freeze and Montgomery.

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