Michigan State coach Mel Tucker wishes nothing but the best for Payton Thorne.

The former Spartans quarterback, who started the past two seasons for Tucker, transferred to Hugh Freeze’s Auburn program last month.

“We feel good about our situation,” Tucker said. “I just wish Payton the very best of luck. He’s a really good player, a better person, got a great family. We wish him well.”

Asked if guys transferring for “greener pastures” is the new norm in college football, Tucker said it is.

“I believe so,” Tucker said. “We’ve seen it right? We’ve gotten guys out of the portal, and it’s really common. So, I don’t think it’s anything that anyone should be surprised about.”

Thorne, a 6-foot-2, 210-pounder, is a former three-star dual-threat prospect who started all 12 games for the Spartans last season. Thorne is a 60.9 percent career passer who has thrown for 6,494 yards and 49 touchdowns in 29 games, with 26 of them coming starts for Michigan State. He’s one of the program’s career leaders in passing touchdowns (fourth), completion percentage (fifth) and passing yards (sixth), and he has five games with 300-plus yards through the air.

Thorne averaged 7.5 yards per pass attempt for his career and has 46 touchdowns against 21 interceptions the last two seasons while completing 61.5 percent of his passes for 5,911 yards.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Music App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.