AUBURN, Ala. – Not long after entering the NCAA transfer portal in spring of 2023, quarterback Payton Thorne found himself strolling through Auburn’s campus with a decision to make that proved easy for him.
“I got in (the portal) on a Sunday morning and then immediately started heading to Auburn for a visit,” Thorne said. “I spent pretty much the entire day here. I got to see campus, see the facilities, and then just get a feel for the people down here – I love the people.
“Plus just the Auburn name – it’s big-time football and in the SEC. And Coach Freeze – he’s an offensive head coach, a guy who has had success offensively and with quarterbacks. It really drew me here.”
The Illinois native, who was a three-year starter at Michigan State from 2020-22, grew up around football his entire life, with his father Jeff and grandfather John both being successful coaches. Yet Payton wasn’t allowed to start playing tackle football until he was in sixth grade.
“I used to beg my dad to let me play when I was younger, but he always said no,” Thorne said. “He didn’t think I needed to get into real football yet, which ended up being true. But I’ve been throwing a football around with my dad since I could remember; it was like walking, honestly.”
Reflecting on his journey, Thorne acknowledges the significance of every small moment in shaping his path to success. When asked about his motivation to continue playing, he emphasizes his family.
