Why these 5 Auburn football players have most to prove in spring practice

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AUBURN — It may feel like the season ended not too long ago, but spring practice is just around the corner.

Auburn football will open the spring period with a practice Feb. 27.

The Tigers will have 14 sessions after that, culminating in the second A-Day of the coach Hugh Freeze era April 6. Spring practice gives coaches the opportunity to evaluate some of the additions made this offseason, as well as letting them get eyes on the players who are returning in 2024.

Of the 18 scholarship freshmen the Tigers brought in as part of the Class of 2024, 14 are early enrollees and will be on campus for spring practice. Four-star receivers Perry Thompson and Malcolm Simmons, four-star offensive lineman DeAndre Carter and four-star cornerback A’Mon Lane-Ganus will join the team ahead of fall camp later in the year.

With football soon returning, here are five players with the most to prove over the next few weeks:

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QB Payton Thorne

After an up-and-down season that featured moments of promise — the Arkansas win — and times of puzzling ineptitude — the Music City Bowl against Maryland — Auburn did not bring in a transfer quarterback to battle with Payton Thorne throughout the spring.

Thorne still has competition — Holden Geriner enters his third season, redshirt freshman Hank Brown impressed in small doses against the Terrapins and four-star freshman Walker White finished the recruiting cycle as the No. 8 QB in the Class of 2024 — but Thorne remains the favorite due to his experience.

With only one year of eligibility left, Thorne must take control of the job.

DL Gage Keys

A transfer from Kansas who committed to the Tigers in December, defensive lineman…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-5-auburn-football-players-102230536.html

Author : The Montgomery Advertiser

Publish date : 2024-02-19 10:22:30

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