AUBURN — Auburn football has opted for some intrigue at this year’s edition of SEC Media Days.
Rather than leaning on a few low-profile, seasoned veterans such as sixth-year tight end Luke Deal or senior cornerback Keionte Scott to represent the program at the conference’s premier offseason event, the Tigers are set to send linebacker Eugene Asante, defensive end Keldric Faulk and quarterback Payton Thorne to Dallas with coach Hugh Freeze.
Asante makes sense, given his vibrant personality and breakout performance last season. But the other two are a bit of a shock, considering Thorne’s rocky campaign in 2023 and Faulk’s inexperience. Faulk, entering his second season at Auburn, is the first true sophomore to ever represent the program at media days, according to Justin Ferguson of the Auburn Observer.
Here are a few questions for Freeze and his players to field when it’s their turn to speak at the Omni Hotel in downtown Dallas on Thursday:
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Why will Year 2 be different for Payton Thorne?
There is absolutely no sugarcoating it: Thorne did not have the season many hoped he would in 2023. Following a four-year career at Michigan State that featured him logging nearly 6,500 passing yards and 49 passing touchdowns in 29 appearances, Thorne logged just 1,755 yards through the air last season and didn’t record a passing TD against SEC competition until mid-October.
Those numbers, obviously, must improve if Auburn wants to be better.
“I believe in him,” Freeze said of Thorne this month at an AMBUSH event in Lake Martin. “I believe in his leadership. I meet with him every single week right now. He has a knowledge of the game that’s as good as I’ve been around…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/3-questions-auburn-football-hugh-135327349.html
Author : The Montgomery Advertiser
Publish date : 2024-07-15 13:53:27
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