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The Auburn Tigers will be down a trio of quarterbacks this offseason thanks to both graduation and the transfer portal. Payton Thorne and Holden Geriner were already confirmed to be on the move following the 2024 campaign. Reserve passer Hank Brown joined that bunch this week.
Brown started two games this season before being relegated to backup duty. Despite the fact that the QB1 role is now up for grabs, he’s opted to find a new school.
Starter Payton Thorne has exhausted his NCAA eligibility having played five seasons for the Tigers and Michigan State. Brown was first up on the depth chart in ’24, and he was given his shot under center ahead of Auburn’s SEC slate.
As Thorne struggled across his first two games, many called for his replacement. Fanbase frustration boiled over in early September after watching a four-interception performance against Cal. Hank Brown attempted to capitalize on that outside noise!
The signal caller posted a perfectly timed NIL ask on his social media outlets as Auburn fans begged for a change. He slickly solicited boosters while his teammate was being criticized. Attention only grew when he was named QB1 in Week 3.
Jordan-Hare Stadium ERUPTS as Hank Brown is announced as QB1 pic.twitter.com/uiZZD0cUJP
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) September 14, 2024
Brown started strong for the Tigers, tossing four touchdowns in a win over New Mexico. He was again under center for the team’s first SEC matchup against Arkansas but returned to the bench after tossing three picks in the first half. Auburn lost the contest, 24-14.
Hank Brown’s transfer decision was dramatic.
Rumors of his leaving surfaced earlier this month. The passer emphatically shut the notion of a transfer down amid the whispers.
X: Hank Brown
A week later, he changed his tune. Brown took to social media on Monday to express his intention to leave Auburn.
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It will be interesting to see where the passer winds up for his redshirt sophomore season. As a high school recruit, he landed offers from Illinois, Minnesota, and Pitt before choosing Auburn.
As for the Tigers, their QB room is now down to just two. Reserve signal caller Walker White is slated to return to the Plains while Hugh Freeze added four-star prospect Deuce Knight in his most recent signing class. Expect Auburn to be active in the transfer portal following Hank Brown’s departure.