Breaking :A 5-star QB Payton Thorne from Auburn has been fired bombshell suspended two years replacement due to…

In a shocking turn of events that has sent tremors through the college football landscape, Auburn University has officially fired quarterback Payton Thorne and suspended him for two years following a series of bombshell revelations involving NCAA compliance violations, alleged conduct issues, and team rule infractions. The university made the announcement Friday morning in a hastily arranged press conference attended by Athletic Director John Cohen, interim head coach Zac Etheridge, and legal counsel for the university.

Thorne, a former Michigan State transfer who started for Auburn during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, was expected to return for a final year of eligibility in 2025. Instead, his college career may now be over.

The trouble began to surface earlier this spring when anonymous reports began circulating about “irregularities” in Thorne’s off-field behavior. According to sources close to the athletic department, Auburn compliance officials were tipped off in March about possible impermissible benefits Thorne had received from an unaffiliated booster group, including cash payments, housing subsidies, and a luxury vehicle lease.

In response, the school launched an internal investigation in April. What they found, reportedly in coordination with NCAA investigators, led to Thorne being suspended indefinitely from team activities in mid-May. At the time, the university cited “violations of team rules” but did not elaborate. Now we know why.

In today’s press conference, Cohen confirmed that Thorne had violated several key NCAA regulations tied to improper use of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) funds, including accepting deals funneled through a third party with no legitimate business operations. Additionally, sources say Thorne was linked to the hosting of unsanctioned recruiting events and social gatherings that included underage drinking and potential Title IX violations.

“This is not a decision we came to lightly,” said Cohen. “But our commitment to compliance and integrity required swift and decisive action. Payton Thorne has been dismissed from Auburn football and suspended from university athletic activities for two years.”

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Locker Room Fallout and Leadership Crisis

The loss of Thorne leaves a massive void in Auburn’s quarterback room, especially with summer workouts underway and fall camp just around the corner. While Thorne had struggled with consistency in 2023, he made significant strides last season under the guidance of former head coach Hugh Freeze, who recently announced his retirement in April.

Players were reportedly blindsided by the announcement. Several team members took to social media to express shock, frustration, and confusion. One anonymous player told AL.com: “We knew something was going on, but nobody thought it would go this far. Payton was a leader in the locker room — whether you liked him or not.”

Defensive end Keldric Faulk posted, “Auburn men stand on accountability. But man, this hurts.”

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New Interim Starter Named: Redshirt Freshman Caleb Blackmon

In a surprise move, offensive coordinator and now interim coach Zac Etheridge named redshirt freshman Caleb Blackmon as the starter going into summer camp. Blackmon, a former four-star recruit out of Georgia’s Buford High School, has been turning heads in spring practice and was reportedly in close competition with Thorne and Holden Geriner for the QB1 spot.

“Caleb’s leadership, athleticism, and work ethic have stood out throughout the offseason,” Etheridge said. “He has earned the right to lead this team forward as we regroup and refocus.”

The move marks a new era for the Tigers, who are still recovering from the abrupt retirement of Hugh Freeze amid a wave of coaching turnover and transfer portal chaos.

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Thorne’s Statement and Legal Pushback

Shortly after Auburn’s press conference, Payton Thorne released a statement via his attorney denying any intentional wrongdoing and accusing the university of using him as a “scapegoat for systemic failures in compliance monitoring.”

“I am shocked and disappointed by Auburn University’s actions,” the statement read. “At no point was I made aware that any NIL arrangement I was involved in violated NCAA policy. I was guided by advisors who I trusted were operating within the rules. I intend to appeal this decision and clear my name.”

Thorne’s legal team is reportedly preparing to file a formal appeal with the NCAA and may pursue civil action if his eligibility is not restored. Some legal analysts believe the situation could become a high-profile test case as the NCAA continues to wrestle with the gray areas of NIL enforcement.

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Impact on Recruiting and Program Stability

The fallout from Thorne’s dismissal is already being felt in Auburn’s 2025 recruiting class. Sources indicate that at least two quarterback prospects who had scheduled summer visits have now postponed or canceled. Additionally, Auburn’s prized 2026 commitment, five-star QB Bryce Hinton from Tampa, posted a cryptic message on X (formerly Twitter): “Loyalty goes both ways.”

Recruiting insiders say Auburn’s staff is in damage-control mode, attempting to reassure parents and recruits that the program is stabilizing despite the turmoil. Interim coach Etheridge, along with Cohen, plan to meet with every incoming freshman and their families in the next week.

“This isn’t the end of Auburn football,” said Cohen. “It’s a reset — and it’s a necessary one. We will come back stronger.”

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The Bigger Picture: A Tumultuous Offseason in the SEC

Thorne’s firing marks the latest in a series of high-profile controversies involving SEC programs. In recent months, Tennessee, LSU, and Florida have all faced major coaching changes, retirements, or transfer exoduses. Some analysts say the pressure and chaos of the NIL era are beginning to expose systemic cracks.

“This isn’t just about one player,” said Paul Finebaum on his ESPN radio show. “This is about how the structure of college football is crumbling under the weight of unregulated money, vague enforcement, and players being thrown into situations they’re not prepared to navigate. Auburn’s just the latest to pay the price.”

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What’s Next for Auburn

With Caleb Blackmon now at the helm, the Tigers will head into the 2025 season with a young and largely unproven roster. Their schedule includes tough road games against Georgia and Alabama, and home matchups against Texas and Oklahoma, now full members of the SEC.

There is cautious optimism around Blackmon’s potential — he’s a dual-threat talent with a rocket arm and deceptive speed — but there’s no denying that the offense is in transition.

Beyond that, the university must also navigate potential NCAA penalties. If violations are proven to have occurred under university oversight, Auburn could face scholarship reductions, fines, or even postseason bans. Cohen insisted they are cooperating fully with investigators and conducting their own audit of compliance protocols.

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Conclusion: A Legacy Derailed, a Program Rebuilding

Payton Thorne’s journey from transfer portal hopeful to SEC starter — and now to NCAA exile — is a cautionary tale of the volatile intersection between ambition, money, and regulation in today’s college game. Whether he returns to football through an appeal, the transfer portal, or even professional leagues abroad remains to be seen.

For Auburn, the mission is clear: restore trust, rebuild internally, and prove that the program can emerge stronger after the storm.

“Challenges like this test your culture,” Etheridge said. “But Auburn men rise to the occasion. We’re not going anywhere.”

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Key Facts at a Glance:

Payton Thorne fired and suspended for two years for alleged NCAA and team rule violations

NCAA investigating improper NIL benefits and unsanctioned activities

Redshirt freshman Caleb Blackmon named interim starting quarterback

Auburn 2025 recruiting class already seeing ripple effects

Legal battle likely as Thorne seeks appeal

Program enters another period of transition following Hugh Freeze’s retirement

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