It’s Official: Hugh Freeze makes major Auburn football two-deep decision

It’s official: Hank Brown is now Payton Thorne’s primary backup on Auburn’s football depth chart. Head coach Hugh Freeze announced on the August 19 episode of Tiger Talk that the redshirt freshman would be the team’s QB2. As for Holden Geriner, his role in his third season remains uncertain, while Walker White seems set to redshirt, much like Brown did in 2023.

 

 

Thorne continues to have Freeze’s full support for the second consecutive year, though the coach hinted at an open QB competition after Brown’s impressive performance in the Music City Bowl against Maryland. In that game, Brown completed seven of nine passes, reinvigorating the Tiger fans who braved the cold in Nashville to see Auburn’s 31-13 victory.

That game will be on everyone’s mind whenever Thorne falters this season. Brown is likely to get a chance to showcase his skills against Alabama A&M in Week 1, most likely in the second half if Auburn has a comfortable lead. If the Tigers need a new quarterback, it could spell the end of Thorne’s time as the starter. But there’s no need to dwell on such negative possibilities just yet.

Holden Geriner may never get shot with Auburn football

Geriner not securing the backup quarterback role seems like the most significant development here. As the last quarterback from the Bryan Harsin era, the Benedictine Military School alum is in a different situation compared to Harsin’s running backs, like Jarquez Hunter and Damari Alston, whom Freeze has successfully utilized. The quarterback position, however, is much less adaptable.

It’s possible Geriner never had a real chance under Freeze’s leadership.

The “Freeze Four” might speed up Auburn’s trajectory for 2025. If the right transfer quarterback becomes available, Freeze might reconsider and be willing to invest heavily in a portal acquisition. Even Brown and White could face overwhelming competition.

For Geriner, Brown has proven to be a formidable obstacle on the depth chart. You have to wonder if there’s another program out there that could give him the playing time he won’t find at Auburn.