The Auburn Tigers may have College Football's asset during the 2026 season, if On3's Andy Staples is any bit of a soothsayer: USF Bulls transfer quarterback Byrum Brown, perhaps the best at his position this coming campaign.
Staples believes Brown could transcend the SEC's likely strong quarterback class, which includes the Texas Longhorns' Arch Manning and the Ole Miss Rebels' Trinidad Chambliss, and be better than even the Big Ten and Big 12's best, including the Ohio State Buckeyes' Julian Sayin, the Oregon Ducks' Dante Moore, and the Texas Tech Red Raiders' Brendan Sorsby.
“He is so effective throwing the ball and running. What we saw him do in Gainesville against Florida’s defense (in 2025 with USF) was impressive,” Staples told the crew at The Next Round. “I think Byrum Brown, if things go well … could be one of the best quarterbacks in the country, not just the SEC. He’s got all the tools for it and he knows this offense really well.”
Alex Golesh has the most important tool to turn Auburn around immediately
It's hard not to hear Staples' outlook and not want to immediately run into several brick walls consecutively. Don't do that -- the brick wall will win -- but no one can blame you for wanting to hearing that about Brown.
Alex Golesh is bringing the most important possible tool to turn the Tigers around. Nothing beats an upperclassman QB who's been physically dominating competition for years, in the pocket and in broken plays, who's continuing under the same play-caller, and may even have an upgraded offensive line in front of him. Brown will definitely have a better running back room and tight end room on the Plains than he had in Tampa.
In the next few weeks, we'll get even more hype material as reports pour in from camp about how good Brown looks in spring practice.
Things are finally about to turn around in Lee County, Alabama, unless the metaphorical snake that bit this program for half a decade returns in some form.