With Payton Thorne’s college career over and backups Holden Geriner and Hank Brown departing via the transfer portal, Auburn faces an urgent need to rebuild its quarterback room. The Tigers are eyeing the transfer portal for a high-impact player, and one intriguing option is Kaidon Salter—a dual-threat quarterback with proven production and a strong connection to Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze.
Salter, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 200 pounds, has a rich collegiate history. He began his career at Tennessee before transferring to Liberty, where he reunited with Freeze, who had signed him out of the portal. Salter’s resume includes four years of experience and impressive stats, particularly from the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Over his career, he’s tallied 5,887 passing yards with a 58.7% completion rate, 56 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions.
Salter excels as a deep-ball passer, as evidenced by his 2023 performance. According to Pro Football Focus, he completed 47.8% of his throws on passes traveling 20 or more yards, amassing 1,152 yards, 18 touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions on such attempts. While his completion percentage might appear modest, his 16.7 yards-per-attempt average underscores his effectiveness in stretching defenses. Salter’s arm strength and over-the-top throwing motion make him a consistent threat downfield.
In addition to his passing prowess, Salter is a dangerous runner. He has amassed 2,013 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns during his career, showcasing his ability to create havoc for opposing defenses. Whether executing designed runs, improvising under pressure, or operating traditional option plays, Salter’s athleticism makes him a constant scoring threat.
Reuniting with Freeze at Auburn could make Salter an ideal plug-and-play quarterback. He’s already familiar with Freeze’s offensive system, minimizing the learning curve. Moreover, his dual-threat capabilities and experience would give Auburn a dynamic playmaker capable of revitalizing its offense.
Other high-profile programs, including Colorado, Florida State, Syracuse, and UCLA are reportedly pursuing Salter. Whether he visits Auburn remains to be seen, but if he does, he could bring an explosive skill set to Jordan-Hare Stadium. With his ability to beat defenses through the air and on the ground, Salter would be a valuable addition to the Tigers’ roster.
