AUBURN | There was no hesitation.

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze was asked Tuesday night about his confidence in Payton Thorne returning for his second season as Auburn’s starting quarterback.

Freeze expressed zero doubts.

“I’m really confident,” said Freeze. “I believe in him. I believe in his leadership. I meet with him every single week right now and he has a knowledge of the game as good as I’ve been around for a quarterback.”

Thorne, who returns for his second season at Auburn and fifth as a college quarterback, completed 162 of 265 passes (61.1 percent) for 1,755 yards with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season.

Freeze cites two important offseason developments — returning to his style of offense and upgrading both the wide receiver and offensive line rooms — as key reasons Thorne will be improved in his second year as a Tiger.

Auburn replaced seven of nine receivers from last year with the addition of four talented freshmen and three transfers, and also brought in Mississippi State left tackle Percy Lewis to shore up the offensive line.

“Now that we've gone back to some of the things I'm really familiar with, I think he's going to be more comfortable,” said Freeze. “Now, the pieces around the quarterback have to play really well. And I think we've improved that. How well can those freshmen play at certain positions? I don't know.

“I’ve seen it go really well, and I've seen some have to have time to develop. I'm optimistic and believe in Payton for sure.”

Auburn opens the season Aug. 31 against Alabama A&M. Kickoff at Jordan-Hare Stadium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+/SECN+.