Koy Moore

Moore’s statistics from last season at Auburn look pedestrian, but shoddy quarterback play should really take the blame. Moore managed just 20 receptions for 314 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore, though still ended up as the second-leading receiver on the squad behind Koy Moore. Help should be on the way, though. The quarterback position should be upgraded in 2023 with the transfer of Payton Thorne from Michigan State. Thorne started under center in each of the last two seasons for the Spartans and tossed a combined 46 touchdowns over that span. Thorne is expected to win the starting job in a competition with Robby Ashford, who largely struggled during his time at quarterback a season ago. In addition, a coaching change to the offensive-minded Hugh Freeze should also pay dividends for Johnson. Freeze’s squads at Liberty averaged over 400 yards of total offense in all four of his seasons with the program. In addition, Freeze’s offenses averaged at least 30 points per game in three of his four seasons at Liberty. Moore still averaged 15.7 yards per reception last year, and should benefit from additional targets as well as more competent quarterback play.