For the second time in three seasons, Auburn football is setting up for another quarterback battle.
Payton Thorne is out of eligibility, and Hugh Freeze will be searching for another passer in the offseason despite his quarterback room having a pair of blue chips between Walker White and 2025 signee Deuce Knight. Freeze made a quarterback addition sound like less of a need and more of a requirement.
“We’re going to carry four quarterbacks on scholarships every year. Every year. And so is every other program,” Freeze said Wednesday. “Some may carry five in their 85, I don’t know. We choose to carry four of the 85 scholarships, and currently we stand at three with one of ours going in the portal.”
A day away from the portal’s opening, here’s a look at the top of the market and who Freeze and Auburn could target:
Conner Weigman
Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (15) looks to pass the ball in the first quarter Oct. 5, 2024 against the Missouri Tigers at Kyle Field in College Station.
2024 stats (6 games): 64-114 (56.1%) passing, 819 pass yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions; 101 rush yards (3.6 YPC), 28 carries
Eligibility: Two years
Once a five-star recruit, Weigman began 2024 as the Aggies’ starting quarterback. That didn’t last, however.
A history of injuries reared its head, as he missed a month of this season with a shoulder injury. That opened up an opportunity for Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed to move in on the starting role.
Now, after playing in 15 games and making 13 starts through three seasons in College Station, Weigman will be joining a new program with his untapped potential being his most enticing selling point.
Jackson Arnold
Nov 23, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) runs the ball during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Previous school: Oklahoma
2024 stats (10 games): 154-246 (62.6%) passing, 1,421 pass yards, 12 passing touchdowns; 3 interceptions; 444 rush yards (3.0 YPC), 50 carries, 3 rushing touchdowns; 2 receptions, 16 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
Eligibility: Two years
Much like Weigman, Arnold was once a consensus five-star recruit, as well as the 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year.
The Texas native’s time in Norman didn’t see him reach those heights, however, as he was benched by the Sooners in 2024 before eventually regaining the starting role. He started Oklahoma’s final five games, in which the Sooners went 2-3, with a win over FCS Maine and a miraculous upset of then-No. 7 Alabama.
Kaidon Salter
Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter (7) celebrates his touchdown against Middle Tennessee during the Salute to Veterans & Armed Forces game at MTSU on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.
Previous school: Liberty
2024 stats (11 games): 147-261 (56.3%) passing, 1,886 pass yards, 15 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions; 579 rush yards (5.1 YPC), 114 carries, 7 touchdowns
Eligibility: One year
There’s a Freeze connection here, as Salter played for the Auburn coach for two seasons at Liberty.
After beginning his college career at Tennessee, Salter transferred to Liberty and has played for the Flames for four seasons. He entered the portal last offseason and was a coveted prospect before deciding to withdraw his name and remain at Liberty.
He did take a step back in 2024, though, throwing for nearly 1,000 fewer yards and 17 fewer touchdowns with just as many interceptions. He also rushed for just 579 yards after turning in a 1,000-yard season on the ground in 2023.
Miller Moss
Nov 2, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) looks to pass against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.
Previous school: USC
2024 stats (9 games): 233-362 (64.4%) passing, 2,555 pass yards, 18 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions; Minus-18 rush yards (Minus-0.9 YPC), 21 attempts, 2 rushing touchdowns
Eligibility: One year
Moss’ first three seasons in Los Angeles were relatively quiet, but he blew up at the end of 2023 with a 372-yard, six-touchdown performance in a Holiday Bowl win over Louisville.
His 2024 didn’t quite live up to the expectation set up by that effort. He was statistically one of the better passers in the Big Ten this fall, but after a stretch of four losses in five weeks, USC coach Lincoln Riley benched him in favor of UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava.
Thomas Castellanos
Nov 24, 2023; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos (1) throws the ball against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Previous school(s): Boston College (UCF)
2024 stats (8 games): 99-161 (61.5%) passing, 1,366 pass yards, 18 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions; 194 rush yards (2.1 YPC), 93 carries, 1 rushing touchdown
Eligibility: One year
Castellanos was one of the most productive passers in the ACC in 2023, but much like Salter, his 2024 underwhelmed.
Boston College’s incumbent starter was eventually benched in a win over Syracuse. His eight games this fall saw him turn in 882 pass yards fewer than the season before, and that was in spite of throwing more passing touchdowns this year than the season before.
Other names Hugh Freeze, Auburn football should know
Sep 13, 2024; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; UNLV Rebels quarterback Matthew Sluka (3) runs the ball against Kansas Jayhawks defensive end Dean Miller (45) and cornerback Cobee Bryant (2) during the first half at Children’s Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
When the portal officially opens, there’s sure to be more names that enter. Until Freeze and the Tigers find a quarterback they’d like to sink their teeth into, here’s a few other names to know who have already made their transfer intentions clear.
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