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Payton Thorne, former Michigan State QB, announces SEC transfer destination

Keith Farner

By Keith Farner

Published:

Payton Thorne is headed to the SEC.

The former Michigan State QB on Friday announced a commitment to Auburn, as Thorne hopes to solve the Tigers’ sub-par situation at quarterback.

Thorne surprised Michigan State on Sunday by entering the transfer portal after he was a 2-time starter and captain.

The Spartans have fourth-year junior Noah Kim and redshirt freshman Katin Houser competing for the starting job. The Spartans, who finished last season 5-7, also brought in true freshman Sam Leavitt from Oregon.

Thorne passed for 6,494 yards and 55 total touchdowns and 24 interceptions as a Spartan. He started all 12 of Michigan State’s games last season, and passed for 2,679 yards with 19 touchdown passes and 1 rushing touchdown.

Thorne was a former 3-star QB out of Napierville, Illinois from the 2018 class per the 247Sports Composite.

Keith Farner

Keith Farner has written about college football for newspapers and web sites since 2005.