Byrum Brown believes the Auburn Tigers' transfer portal haul, which was reliant on the USF Bulls, will be able to stand up to any opponent. Brown denies that the SEC will be too formidable for the former American Conference skill-position weapons.
Per Brown, during an interview with On3's Chris Low, "We plan to show that we belong on this level and that we can compete with anybody, no matter what conference it is, the AAC or the SEC." The "we" in Brown's statement also includes former USF receivers Keshaun Singleton, Jeremiah Koger, Christian Neptune, Cory Pettigrew, and Chas Nimrod, ex-Bulls running back Nykahi Davenport, tight end Jonathan Echols, a pair of defensive backs in safety Fred Gaskin and corner Gavin Jenkins, center Cole Best, and guard Cole Skinner.
Over the offseason during the January portal window, On3's Jake Crain expressed optimism in Alex Golesh's incoming group from Tampa. In particular, Crain believes that Golesh brought over "the most ripe fruit off the tree."
That statement will be put to the test this fall. It'll be Brown who will have the biggest say in whether or not the group can handle SEC competition.
Byrum Brown holds the key to Auburn's transfer haul receiving its proper shine
This isn't news to Brown. As a quarterback at the collegiate level, particularly in the FBS, and now especially in the SEC, Brown knows that he holds the key to his former USF teammates' public acceptance at the highest level.
The interior offensive linemen are taking over for Connor Lew and Jeremiah Wright, the two strongest parts of the trenches last season on the scoring side of the ball, who've since gone on to be NFL draft picks. It's unlikely Skinner and Best will get their due if the run game has a similar offensive performance. To be fair, with Baylor Bears transfer Bryson Washington joining Jeremiah Cobb in the RB room, a similar performance would count as regression.
It'll be on Brown to make the receivers look like SEC-caliber threats, and to legitimize what Golesh and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon are doing. Many are already getting onto him about his throwing motion, but if his game translates from several solid years at South Florida to East Central Alabama, everyone will be talking about how often those throws end in points.
It won't be easy for Brown, who faces three of the best secondaries in the country this season when Auburn hosts the LSU Tigers and travels Between the Hedges and up to T-Town to take on the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide. There will be tests that many QBs would fail and be considered less-than, but they don't have to face because they're nestled in friendlier quarters in the Big Ten, ACC, or Big 12.
Brown is stepping up in competition, which means he's walking into a much more hostile environment every week, including at Jordan-Hare Stadium. He's taking over a program that's been QB-starved since Bo Nix left five years ago. Tiger fans may be out of patience with the position.
This is what Brown signed up for. He seems to not only know it, but he's owning it heading into the summer.
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