Hank Brown, a former Auburn quarterback who played for two years and briefly served as the starting quarterback, has committed to the University of Iowa. The news was revealed on December 13, 2024, through a social media post with Hayes Fawcett of On3. Brown’s decision to transfer follows in the footsteps of other Auburn players, including defensive lineman Gage Keys and tight end Micah Riley, both of whom have also found new teams after entering the transfer portal.
Brown’s journey at Auburn came to an end after the 2024 season. He had announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on December 8, though reports of his decision had first surfaced a week earlier, on December 1. Brown became the second Auburn quarterback to enter the portal, following redshirt sophomore Holden Geriner. His departure leaves a hole in Auburn’s quarterback room, which is also set to lose Payton Thorne and Geriner in 2024, creating an opportunity for new talent to join the team.
During the 2024 season, Brown played in several games for Auburn, completing 27 of 43 pass attempts. He had been named the starter for two games but faced struggles in a loss to Arkansas. In that game, Auburn was defeated 24-14, and Brown’s performance, which included three interceptions, led to his benching at halftime. After that, Payton Thorne reclaimed the starting role and Brown never regained his position as the first-string quarterback. Despite his brief tenure as the starting quarterback, Brown’s time at Auburn was marked by limited success, and his departure marks the beginning of a new chapter for him.
Auburn now faces a significant shift in its quarterback roster. With Brown, Thorne, and Geriner all transferring, Auburn is likely to pursue two quarterbacks from the transfer portal to strengthen the position. Additionally, the team has freshman Walker White and 2025 recruit Deuce Knight set to join the program in the coming seasons. With several changes ahead for Auburn, Brown’s move to Iowa is a notable development in the ongoing reshaping of the team’s roster.
The decision to transfer is a common path for many college athletes looking for a fresh start or new opportunities. Brown’s move to Iowa will give him a chance to continue his college football career in a new environment, while Auburn looks to rebuild and solidify its quarterback position for the future.
Former Auburn quarterback Hank Brown recently revealed his reasons for leaving the program, unintentionally shedding light on some of the factors behind his decision to transfer. Brown’s departure from Auburn was officially confirmed when he entered the transfer portal on December 8, 2024, following several weeks of speculation. While it had been widely assumed that Brown’s move was motivated by playing time concerns, his recent comments hinted at deeper issues, including his struggles in the starting role and the team’s evolving quarterback situation.
In a moment of candidness during an interview, Brown inadvertently shared that his decision to leave Auburn wasn’t solely about the opportunity for more playing time, but also about the team’s shifting dynamics and his personal experience. Brown, who briefly served as Auburn’s starting quarterback in 2024, had been benched after a rough performance against Arkansas, where he threw three interceptions in a 24-14 loss. His benching for the remainder of the season in favor of Payton Thorne was a turning point, and it appears this may have contributed to his growing frustration with his situation.
Though he didn’t directly criticize the Auburn coaching staff or his teammates, it became clear from his remarks that Brown’s confidence had taken a hit after his performance in that game. His failure to reclaim the starting job seemed to signal a shift in the program’s priorities at the quarterback position. The arrival of new quarterbacks, such as 2025 signee Deuce Knight, added to the uncertainty surrounding his future at Auburn, prompting Brown to seek a fresh start elsewhere.
As Brown embarks on his new chapter at Iowa, his comments serve as an unintentional window into the challenges that athletes face when navigating a competitive and ever-changing team environment. His transfer marks another example of how, for some players, the decision to leave a program isn’t just about a lack of playing time but also a reflection of the evolving dynamics within a team and a search for a more stable and supportive environment.
