The second spring camp of the Hugh Freeze era at Auburn is just around the corner as it’s set to get underway Tuesday.

The Tigers will then proceed to hold 13 spring practices in preparation of Auburn’s spring game — also known as A-Day — which is set to be played on April 6 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Before spring practices get underway, AL.com will take a position-by-position look at the Tigers’ roster. The last one of the series? A dive into Auburn’s quarterback room.

Who did the Tigers lose in the quarterback room?

In a decision that shocked few, former Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford made the decision to enter his name into the transfer portal on Dec. 15.

He has since gone on to land at South Carolina.

Ashford’s decision came at the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, which saw him spend much of the year caught in the middle of an unorthodox two-quarterback rotation between he and Payton Thorne, who transferred in from Michigan State last spring.

Freeze vowed all season that Ashford was too athletic not to see the field and would always have a role. And for the better part of the season, that was the case. However, as Auburn’s offense continued to sputter, Freeze decided to put his foot down and move forward with Thorne as the main option at quarterback.

By the conclusion of the 2023 season, Ashford had appeared in 10 of Auburn’s 13 games and had logged 247 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, while having only passed for 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Who are the Tigers returning to the quarterback room?

With Ashford being the lone departure from the offseason, the Tigers are set to return fifth-year senior Payton Thorne, sophomore Holden Geriner and redshirt freshman Hank Brown.

Thorne enters spring camp as Auburn’s incumbent starter, who passed for 1,755 yards, 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 61% passing last season.

And as Thorne enters his second season on The Plains, Freeze anticipates the rising fifth-year senior to improve.

“There’s no doubt,” Freeze said in a press conference on Dec. 16. “I just think Year 2 for him, after going through a season and a spring practice and having another fall camp, I think there’s going to be a drastic difference. And obviously getting a few other pieces around him.”

However, that said, after a rough outing against Maryland in the Music City Bowl, Freeze said Auburn’s quarterback position would be “wide open” come the spring. And that’s where Geriner, Brown and the additions to Auburn’s quarterback room come into play.

Geriner appeared in five games last season, primarily after the game was well in hand. He finished the season with five completions for 75 yards.

Brown, meanwhile, played in just one game last fall, but certainly capitalized on the opportunity.

Checking in as Auburn’s third quarterback of the day against Maryland in the Music City Bowl, Brown went 7-for-9 through the air, good for 132 yards and a head-turning performance.

“I think Hank has something to him for sure,” Freeze said following the bowl game loss. “The guy threw 42 touchdowns and one pick his senior year in high school. There’s something to that.”

Given Auburn’s offensive struggles last fall — particularly in the passing game — Freeze has often been questioned about whether or not he’s considered bringing in another transfer quarterback.

And while Freeze says that seems to be the “cool” thing to do, he wants to follow through with his current room.

“I believe that if we get the right pieces around (Payton) and Holden and Hank, I think our quarterback room is going to be fine next year,” Freeze said on Dec. 16. “That is my belief. It’s what drives me to get the right pieces around them.”

Who did the Tigers add to the quarterback room?

Auburn’s only addition to its quarterback room comes by way of 4-star signee Walker White, who signed his letter of intent with Auburn after being committed for 10 months and never wavering.

The arrival of White adds an intriguing piece to the Tigers’ “wide open” quarterback race as Freeze has long been high on White’s potential.

“Walker White, I think, is going to be a star,” Freeze said during his national signing day press conference on Dec. 20. “I think he’s got all the attributes of what a quarterback should like. I think he’s a true Auburn man. Obviously don’t know how quick he will adjust to this game, but I think he’s got all the skill sets to do that.”

In his senior season at Little Rock Christian Academy in Little Rock, Ark., White piloted the Warriors to a 10-3 record as he passed for 2,660 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions with a 62.8% passing percentage. With his legs, White added another 530 yards and nine touchdowns.