It’s the “cool thing” to chase a big-name quarterback in the transfer portal, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said. With every name that announced their intention to move, Freeze said people would text him saying to “throw the bag” at him — meaning to find a way to give a big pool of money to a transferring player.

That’s not Freeze’s plan. He likes what he’s got already. So the plan for 2024 appears to be sticking with Payton Thorne.

“I believe in Payton,” Freeze said during a Saturday press conference ahead of Auburn’s first bowl practice. “I believe in Holden (Geriner). I believe in Hank (Brown) and I believe the kid (2024 QB commit Walker White) we’ve got coming. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong. That’s my belief.”

Thorne won a quarterback battle against Robby Ashford during fall camp, but maintained a quarterback rotation with Ashford going into the first half of the season.

On Friday, news broke that Ashford plans to enter the transfer portal. Freeze confirmed the report Saturday, and said he wishes Ashford the best.

Freeze said he saw Thorne develop over the course of the season, especially after he became more comfortable with the offense after an Oct. 21 loss to Ole Miss. Thorne transferred to Auburn from Michigan State after spring practices wrapped up, meaning he didn’t practice with Auburn until fall camp opened in August.

During Auburn’s first seven games, it was clear Thorne was still learning, and rotating with Ashford did not help.

Thorne finished the 2023 regular season completing just under 63% of his passes and throwing for 1,671 yards. He had 16 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He added 520 rushing yards, by far the most of his career.

Freeze reminded reporters about how successful Thorne was when he was surrounded by NFL talent on his offense. In 2021, Thorne led Michigan State to a Peach Bowl win throwing for more than 3,200 yards. He was surrounded by NFL starting running back Kenneth Walker III, second-round wide receiver Jayden Reed and future first-round receiver Keon Coleman.

Auburn didn’t have that type of talent. It showed.

Auburn has not strongly pursued a quarterback in the transfer portal for that reason. Instead, Auburn put its emphasis on wide receivers and offensive linemen around Thorne. Freeze said he believes if Auburn brought in a quarterback from the portal, it might cause Thorne to transfer out.

Freeze also suggested that many transfer portal quarterbacks have found far more success in their second years at a new school compared to their first. Michael Penix was a Heisman finalist in his second year at Washington. Former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix joined Penix in New York City during his second year at Oregon.

Thorne may not develop into a Heisman finalist. But Freeze believes he can build an offense around him to succeed.

Matt Cohen covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Matt_Cohen_ or email him at [email protected]