A recurring theme since late November when Hugh Freeze became the Auburn football coach is that when sees identifies an issue, he does his best to address it quickly.

As discussed on Wednesday, Hugh Freeze used the transfer portal and high school recruiting to add nine linemen to an offensive line group.

Freeze was open to signing an experienced quarterback from the portal if there was a proper fit. The first-year Tiger coach landed a potential starting quarterback for those linemen to protect when Payton Throne left Michigan State to commit to Auburn. Thorne arrived two days after former quarterback T.J. Finley entered the transfer portal.

Robby Ashford welcomed the change to compete in the fall for the starting role, reacting to Thorne’s signing. Ashford tweeted, “Iron sharpens Iron,” less than 20 minutes after Thorne tweeted about his commitment to Auburn. Freeze told reporters at Tuesday’s 2023 Regions Pro-Am fundraiser in Birmingham that he valued how Ashford handled the situation while praising Thorne.

“His (Thorne) leadership, experience, toughness, and football IQ impressed our staff. He has won football games in a very good conference, and I think it elevates that room,” Freeze told reporters before he teed off with golf partner Ernie Els. “I’ve said it’s all about competition, and again, I want to say: I’m excited about Robby. I’m excited about Holden Geriner. I look forward to the competition that will make us all the better if handled correctly.”

It’s easy to assume that Thorne will win the starting competition with his 5,911 yards, 46 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions during three seasons at Michigan State. Ashford completed 49.2% of his passes last season compared to a career 61.5% for Thorne. Ashford threw for 1,613 yards while struggling with accuracy on seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Ashford’s passing numbers and experience don’t compare with Thorne’s. However, Ashford rushed for over 700 yards last season with seven touchdowns. Ashford’s the dual-threat ability gives him a chance to make the potential camp battle one to watch.

Can Ashford stave off Thorne and upcoming redshirt freshman Geriner? We won’t find out until the end of fall camp. Ashford seems confident and ready to take control of the offense if called upon.

“I feel more comfortable in the pocket. I feel more relaxed,” Ashford said after A-Day at Jordan-Hare. “Last year, I was kind of uptight, playing off raw ability. I feel like every single day, I found something to get better at. And Coach Freeze definitely challenged me, and I appreciate that because he’s taught me so much already in such a short time. Just being able to go out there and just him challenging me, it’s been really good for me.”

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group