The Auburn Tigers seemingly have the best quarterback in 2026, USF Bulls transfer Byrum Brown, since Bo Nix left the Plains. They also seem to have the most professional coach since Gus Malzahn's exit with Alex Golesh. Last but not least, the running back room looks as strong as any since Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter held it down.
Unfortunately, the Tigers' talent in the receiving corps is lower than it's been since Hugh Freeze first came around in 2023. Recruiting receivers has always been Freeze's strong suit, though he wasn't able to give a strong set of WRs -- including Eric Singleton Jr., KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Cam Coleman, Malcolm Simmons, and Perry Thompson, all of whom have moved on to the NFL or a new home in the transfer portal -- the proper arm talent to make it work.
Saturday Blitz's Nicholas Rome pointed that out when giving Auburn adulation for the strong work Golesh did in the transfer portal to add the ex-Baylor Bear Bryson Washington, ex-Troy Trojan Tae Meadows, and ex-USF Brown weapon Nykahi Davenport and retain Jeremiah Cobb.
"In an ideal world, Auburn would've been able to pair Byrum Brown with a group of explosive playmakers at receiver like Auburn has had the past few seasons. Even with losing all the elite receiving talent, this offense is poised to have an impressive season, and should take a big step forward with their ability to control games with the rushing attack," Rome wrote.
Byrum Brown and Alex Golesh can do more with less
If there's anyone who can be trusted to do more with less, it's Brown, Golesh, offensive coordinator Joel Gordon, and the contingent that's making its way from Tampa to East Central Alabama.
As On3's Jake Crain told me, Golesh brought over the skill-position threats he feels could contribute at the next level, name-dropping Brown, receiver Nykahi Devenport, cornerback Gavin Jenkins, and backup QB Locklan Hewlett.
"As far as the players that he's bringing in, if you notice, he's really just bringing in the most ripe fruit off the tree, and then the best seeds to plant with the young guys. You look at Gav in the corner, they're really, really high on him. He didn't really play this past season that much, but they think he has a chance to be a special player," Crain said.
"Locklan Hewlett, the backup quarterback, he's like the Austin Mack version of what Kalen DeBoer did at Alabama. They think he has a chance to be the next guy up. And then obviously, you bring in your best players like Byrum Brown at quarterback, Kroger at wide receiver, (Nykahi Davenport), who's the back, that knows the system."
Crain had noted at the time that no offensive linemen had made their way over from USF, but center Cole Best and right guard Cole Skinner have since committed. They'll join Michigan State Spartans left tackle Stanton Ramil and James Madison Dukes right tackle Joseph Simmons, plus returning left guard Kail Ellis in protection.
There's not as much flash with this year's Tigers roster. There is, though, proven leadership in the NIL/rev-share era with less talent than the competition, more often than not in recent years.
The hope is that makes for a winning strategy at Auburn in a new, more efficient era.