Brown starts – AuburnSports: Recruiting for Auburn Tigers football and basketball

AUBURN | Hank Brown's time has come.

Auburn's redshirt freshman will play his first game against New Mexico on Saturday night, multiple sources confirm. AuburnSports.com.

Hugh Freeze informed both Brown and Payton Thorne of the decision on Friday afternoon.

Thorne, who has started 15 consecutive games for the Tigers since transferring from Michigan State last summer, struggled in Saturday's 21-14 loss to California, completing 14 of 27 passes for 165 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.

Brown, who signed with AU in the 2024 class and was ineligible to play last season, has appeared in two games in his career.

Brown came on late in the 31-13 loss to Maryland in last season's Music City Bowl, completing 7 of 9 passes for 132 yards. He played in the opening game win over Alabama A&M two weeks ago, completing 3 of 5 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns.

Brown entered the season as the second quarterback after competing against sophomore Holden Geriner and true freshman Walker White in spring practice and fall camp.

Kickoff at Jordan-Hare Stadium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.