2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Payton Thorne, QB, Auburn

Payton Thorne will be showcasing his talents this year at Auburn after transferring from Michigan State. Hula Bowl scout Brinson Bagley breaks down Thorne as an NFL Prospect in his report.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Payton Thorne, #10, #1
School (Code)	Auburn (ALAU)
DOB, Class Yr	06/26/2001, Senior
Height, Weight	6011, 210
40 Yd Dash	4.73 est.
Position/Depth	QB
Honors/Captainship	Big Ten Honorable Mention, Academic All Big Ten, Team Captain at Michigan State, Current Team Captain at Auburn
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	Wisconsin @ Michigan State 10/15/2022Michigan State @ Illinois 11/05/2022Indiana @ Michigan State 11/19/2022
Scout Name / Date	Brinson Bagley, 08-30-2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022	G 12 Att. 387 Com. 242 Pct. 62.5 Yds. 2679 Int. 11 TD 19 Rate 131.2
2021	G 13 Att. 389 Com. 235 Pct. 60.4 Yds. 3240 Int. 10 TD 27 Rate 148.1
2020	G 4 Att. 85 Com. 48 Pct. 56.5 Yds. 582 Int. 3 TD 3 Rate 118.6

Player Summary:

Senior. Recently transferred from Michigan State where he was used to commanding an offense that has a heavy dose of run and RPO infused. He is undersized for his position and has a long neck and a slim frame. He is knowledgeable about the protections he sets and anticipates where incoming pressure arrives. He is a right-armed QB with good balance and calmness, keeping his eyes downfield when pressured while making consistent back-shoulder intermediate throws on target, even when on the move. He is a solid scrambler with capable foot speed that combines good arm strength and a quick release that often allows him to make uncomfortable throws under pressure. Yet, still striking receivers in intermediate routes and leading his receivers on deep routes when he does set his feet, he is accurate and shows good body control. He excels at throwing jump balls to a preferred position and quick passes, throwing the ball on target to allow his receivers to adjust after the catch for YAC.

While he has a strong arm, he does depend on its power too much in many of his attempts, as he will consistently make dangerous off-balance or highly contested throws that lead to turnovers or receivers taking big hits. He also is prone to high throws, as on occasion, the receiver will have to jump to make the catch, or is overthrown altogether. On sideline routes, it is hard for receivers to get more than one foot in bounds on comebacks or make smooth catches without establishing good separation. Some of his throws seem nonchalant and as though the field was not scanned before being thrown into a well-covered area. He also struggles with late-game plays, or red zone plays, as many of his issues tend to show in goal-line passes or big plays late in the game.