Sam Jackson V’s transfer from Cal to Auburn was a major transition.

A new team. A new position. A new conference.

Despite all the changes, he gained one piece of familiarity in an old friend.

In making the switch from quarterback to wide receiver, he’d be catching passes from his close friend and former high school teammate, Payton Thorne.

“It’s amazing, honestly, like we were just talking about it the other day, we never thought that we would be in this position,” Jackson said Tuesday.

The two played high school football together at Napierville Central in Illinois before Thorne started his college career at Michigan State and Jackson at Cal.

Now the two are reunited at Auburn, both on the field and off. Already having a prior relationship with Thorne has been helpful for Jackson getting adjusted to a new school and position.

“I think that’s the main advantage for me, just knowing what Payton is thinking at all times,” Jackson said. “That’s my best friend too. And I stay with him. We just have a certain connection.”

Their connection helped allow the pair to connect on many big passes during their days at Napierville Central.

Adding their chemistry with Jackson’s understanding of the quarterback position makes him a unique and interesting player to watch in Auburn’s wide receiver room.

“I wish you could be inside my mind,” Jackson said. “Even when I’m off the field I know where Payton is about to go with the ball.”

Much of Jackson and Thorne’s connection comes from the time they spend off the field.

That started in high school with Jackson staying with Thorne after every game. Now, living together, Jackson says it never gets boring.

“We always have these super deep talks, we go to the stadium,” Jackson said. “Everybody doesn’t get to do what we do on a daily basis.”

The connection is equally important for Thorne. With the reshuffling of Auburn’s wide receiver room, having someone he already knew made building chemistry with the group easier.

“It’s pretty easy to get to know him, and I’ve already known him for five years. That’s no problem getting to gel with him,” Thorne said at SEC Media Days.

Jackson was one of three wide receivers Auburn signed out of the transfer portal along with Robert Lewis and KeAndre Lambert-Smith.

They add talent and experience to a room that already features highly touted freshmen Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson.

With the new pieces and his renewed relationship with Thorne, Jackson couldn’t hold back his smile when asked about what the offense can be in 2024.

“The offense is going to be insane,” Jackson said. “Whenever I come off the field, I’m eating my popcorn watching Cam go to work, watching guys like Rob and Dre go to work. Just being in there you get chills before the play because a big play is coming up.”