AUBURN — Auburn football offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery has some input, too.

We've heard plenty from coach Hugh Freeze about AU's quarterback competition this offseason, but Montgomery is another key decision-maker in the process. After all, Freeze made it known that he hired the former Tulsa coach to call plays. It's his offense as much as it is Freeze's.

"I've been pleased with their progression and what they're doing," Montgomery said of the QBs Monday. "I think they're understanding what we're trying to do offensively a little bit more, especially the little unique parts of it. We've still got a long way to go before we figure out who's going to be our starting quarterback, but I think all of them have shown flashes.

"We've got to be a little bit more consistent. ... But you know, there's so many factors that go into being a quarterback. And it's not just about where you're throwing it or hitting the deep ball or working through your progression. There's the leadership side of it, and you've got to control all of those factors. We're still a long ways to go before we figure out who that's going to be."

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Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne

Montgomery, along with the rest of the staff, has gotten the opportunity to get eyes on Payton Thorne in a practice setting for the first time this fall. The Tigers have only had four practices since beginning preseason camp Aug. 2, but the Michigan State transfer has already left an impact.

"You want to talk about a guy who is professional about the way he goes after his work? He's another guy you have to run out of the building," Montgomery said of Thorne. "He's always watching tape. He's always studying. He'll text me, 'Hey, what do I read on this? What do I read on that? I saw this on tape, how are we progressing through this?' He wants to be on top of every detail that is involved in our offense.

"And he's seeing things right now at a really good rate. You've gotta remember, he wasn't here in the spring. Some of the things that he's picked up on, we've gotta get everybody else around that to be on the same page with him. But I think he's done a great job with his leadership. He's disciplined, and he's professional about what he does."

Incumbent starter Robby Ashford

Montgomery has been pleased with the strides incumbent starter Robby Ashford has taken in the passing game. The former Oregon transfer has always been elite as a runner, but he finished 2022 with a 49.2% completion percentage.

"I honestly think Robby has thrown the ball better this fall camp," Montgomery said. "I've seen him progress in that manner. He's hit a good sum of deep balls. He's been a little more consistent on his underneath stuff. And that's an area where he wants to improve. He's got a big arm. But it's the consistency of the fundamentals that kind of go into that part of it.

"He's worked really hard on that. I think he's really operated. He does a really good job of trying to lead and be positive and do the things that we're asking him to do. He comes out, and he loves competing. So he's gonna come out and compete every day. When he pulls it down, you better hold on, because he can do some things with it. But I think his biggest progression has been in the throwing side of it."

Redshirt freshman Holden Geriner

Not to be forgotten is redshirt freshman Holden Geriner, who has been impressing through the early part of fall camp as potentially Auburn's best deep-ball passer.

“I think he is a natural thrower," Montgomery said. "The ball just zips off of his hands. He stands tall in the pocket. I think he’s doing a really good job of working through his progression, putting his eyes in the right spot and not hanging too long. I think he has the ability to do some things with his feet (and) be able to get outside when things break down.

"But the best part of his game is mentally being on point with what he’s got. Again, his arm is really natural when it comes off. He spins it tight. He can hit small windows. He can push the ball down the field. I think he does a great job of that.”

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football OC Philip Montgomery gives his thoughts on his QBs