Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall enters transfer portal. Could Auburn be a landing place?
Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall is back in the transfer portal, he announced Wednesday — this time as a graduate transfer.
In a 2023 season that was shortened by injury, McCall went on to tally 1,919 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions in seven games for the Chanticleers this season. In 2022, McCall threw for 2,700 yards, 24 touchdowns and two interceptions in 11 games.
McCall flirted with the idea of transferring last season, but ultimately chose to return to Coastal Carolina for the 2023 season.
However, during McCall’s time in the transfer portal last year, there seemed to have been mutual interest between he and the Auburn Tigers.
On Jan. 1, 247Sports’ Chris Hummer reported that McCall had withdrawn from the transfer portal, but added that he had scheduled a visit to Auburn. According to Hummer’s report, McCall went on to cancel his visit to The Plains due to an academic issue.
However, the fact that McCall is entering the portal as a graduate transfer this go ‘round helps eliminate potential academic hang ups, should that be an ongoing issue.
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze hasn’t indicated that he and the Tigers are in the market for another quarterback, but he hasn’t indicated the alternative, either.
As it currently sits, Auburn’s quarterback room in 2024 is set to feature Robby Ashford, Jackson Barkley, Hank Brown, Holden Geriner, John Colvin, Holden Geriner, Sawyer Pate and Payton Thorne. The Tigers are also expected to welcome 4-star quarterback commit Walker White to The Plains.
As many recall, Auburn’s quarterback situation was a bit of a doozy during the regular season this fall as Thorne and Ashford split snaps in the front half of the season.
Towards the back half of the season, Thorne reasserted himself as the Tigers’ starter — a distinction he initially earned in fall camp.
Thorne finished his season having passed for 1,671 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions through 12 games — all while completing 62.3% of his passes.
Across his four-year career, which includes three years at Michigan State, Thorne has tallied 8,172 passing yards, 64 touchdowns and 33 interceptions on 61.3% passing.
Meanwhile, during his five-year career at Coastal Carolina, McCall has amassed 10,005 passing yards and 88 touchdowns and 14 interceptions on 69.9% passing. McCall has also been named the Sun Belt Conference’s Player of the Year three times.
McCall will enter the portal as one of the most efficient quarterbacks on the board with one year of eligibility remaining.