After five years of mediocre football and the apparent inability to find a quarterback that can get the job done, Auburn football fans are hopeful that things will change and improve with the arrival of Byrum Brown.
The former USF quarterback is heading into his fourth season under head coach Alex Golesh and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon, so while a lot of the team will have to learn a new offensive system, things should be very familiar to Brown. Brown's knowledge of Golesh's and Gordon's system, plus Brown's documented success last season at USF, are just a couple reasons why fans are so hopeful that Brown will lead the Tigers to victory.
But if he's feeling the pressure, Brown didn't show it at SEC Media Days earlier this week. He pointed to advice from a legend, former Auburn football quarterback and Heisman winner Cam Newton, to show how he's approaching his job on the Plains.
"Go out there and be you," Brown recalled of Newton's message, per Auburn 247. "Go be a dog like you were (at USF), and you'll lead this team to wins, too.
The pair met when Newton visited Auburn for a scrimmage earlier this spring, and Brown has drawn many comparisons to Newton as the media discuss his transition from USF to Power 4 football. But Brown is staying true to himself and taking Newton's advice to heart ahead of his Auburn Tigers debut and final season of college football.
"I just want to be Byrum Brown," said Auburn's fifth-year senior QB. "That's all I can be. I want to be the best version of him."
From trying the famous Toomer's Lemonade to hitting the road with Golesh to meet with alumni to taking photos with fans during appearances at Auburn baseball games earlier in the summer, Brown has done his best to fully embrace the Auburn culture and become part of the Auburn family. Although Brown says that USF was instrumental in his development as a player, he's all in on the Tigers.
"I can't wait to wear the AU proudly on my helmet," Brown said. "... You play at Auburn University, but it's much bigger than you. You're playing for other people who played before you and carrying on a legacy."
Brown and Golesh will get their first chance to prove themselves to the Auburn family in Atlanta when the Tigers take on the Baylor Bears on September 5.
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