The Auburn Tigers hosted their A-Day spring game on Saturday, unfortunately, to no televised audience. Word from the Plains was pretty positive about Oregon State Beavers transfer quarterback Tristan Ti'a, and not so much on USF Bulls transfer and planned QB1 Byrum Brown.
Brown threw multiple interceptions on the day and was 7/14 passing overall. While every QB besides Rhys Brush, including Ti'a, was picked off, Brown holds the hopes of this program heading into the 2026 College Football season. There was weight to his mistakes, and, subsequently, worries.
The War Rapport's Mike Gittens downplayed the latter, saying, "I’m not drawing any conclusions from Byrum Brown today. SO much of his game is his legs and it’s almost impossible to fully evaluate his true impact in a spring game." As for Ti'a, who threw for 179 yards and a touchdown on 15/20 passing, Gittens crowned him MVP.
"Tristan Tia is my A-Day Offensive MVP. He made a number of great throws and looked sharp in most aspects of the passing game. If he’s the presumed QB2 I would feel good at this point that Auburn has a VERY capable backup," Gittens said.
Tristan Ti'a is clearly Auburn's QB2 and could further strengthen his push to start
Locklan Hewlett (4/7, 65 yards, INT) had a better chance of leapfrogging Ti'a than Ti'a had of leapfrogging Brown. Hewlett truly didn't come close. Ti'a opened up quite the can of worms, though, in the case Brown struggles this fall.
At minimum, Ti'a just put himself into a similar position TJ Finley was in behind Bo Nix: firmly behind him, but surging. First-year head coach Bryan Harsin didn't hesitate to stick Finley in when things got tough in 2021. You have to wonder if Alex Golesh would be as bold in a similar pinch.
A-Day provided clarity on where each QB sits relative to stealing, or keeping, the starting and primary roles this season. Ti'a is undoubtedly in the most improved standing.
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