Byrum Brown's Transfer Watch: Why Auburn Leads the Race, but the SEC Road Won’t Be Easy
The transfer portal is humming, and one of the most intriguing names on the move is USF quarterback Byrum Brown. A dynamic dual-threat talent, Brown has become a coveted name among several high-profile programs. While Auburn has emerged as the early favorite to land him, there’s more to this story than just a reunion with familiar faces.
Let’s break it down.
Auburn’s Familiar System Is the X-Factor
The biggest draw for Brown to Auburn is clear: continuity. He just spent the past season operating in an offense designed by Alex Golesh and Joel Gordon at USF.
That system helped unlock his potential as a dangerous runner and capable passer. Now, with Golesh taking over at Auburn, the idea of stepping into a familiar scheme-albeit in a much tougher league-makes a lot of sense.
But there’s a catch. That success came in the American Athletic Conference, where defensive fronts don’t exactly mirror the SEC’s week-to-week brutality. It’s one thing to shred zone coverages in the AAC; it’s another to do it with 300-pound edge rushers breathing down your neck every Saturday in the South.
So yes, the system fits. But the supporting cast? That’s where things get complicated.
Auburn’s Offensive Line: A Work in Progress
If Brown is going to choose Auburn, he’ll need some serious assurance that he won’t spend his final college season running for his life. The Tigers are expected to lose a handful of key offensive linemen-Connor Lew, Jeremiah Wright, Dillon Wade, and Xavier Chaplin are all likely NFL-bound or out of eligibility. Izavion Miller, another starter, is also on his way out.
That leaves Golesh with a major rebuild up front. We’re talking about potentially needing five new starters.
For a quarterback with just one year left to prove himself to NFL scouts, that’s a tough sell. Chemistry on the offensive line isn’t built overnight, and protection is everything for a quarterback trying to elevate his draft stock.
Still, there’s a possible workaround.
Golesh could dip back into the USF well and bring some of his former linemen with him to Auburn. That would at least give Brown some familiar faces and a line that understands the system. Sure, critics will say those linemen might be overmatched in the SEC, but let’s not forget-USF gave Florida a real fight last year and didn’t look out of place in the trenches.
Other Suitors Are Lurking
Auburn may be the frontrunner, but they’re not the only program in the mix. Florida and North Carolina are both reportedly in the hunt, and both offer intriguing offensive fits.
In Gainesville, new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner is coming off a season where he maximized Haynes King-a quarterback with a similar dual-threat profile. That track record could be appealing to Brown, especially with the Gators looking to reboot their identity under Jon Sumrall.
Then there’s North Carolina, where Bobby Petrino is now calling plays. Petrino’s offense helped Taylen Green shine at Arkansas, and it’s not hard to imagine Brown thriving in a similar setup. The Tar Heels may not have the SEC pedigree, but they offer a system that could showcase Brown’s skill set in a big way.
And don’t count out LSU either. Lane Kiffin has reportedly shown interest, though his top priority appears to be keeping Trinidad Chambliss in Oxford if the NCAA grants him an extra year of eligibility. If that doesn’t happen, Brown could vault to the top of Kiffin’s wish list.
The Bottom Line
Byrum Brown is going to have options-and good ones. But Auburn offers something unique: a system he knows, a coach who believes in him, and a chance to prove he can do it on the biggest stage in college football.
The offensive line situation is a legitimate concern, and Golesh has his work cut out for him in the January portal window. But with the right moves, Auburn can make a compelling case that Brown doesn’t need to start over somewhere new. He can build on what he’s already done-and do it in the SEC spotlight.
There’s still plenty of time before a decision is made, but for now, Auburn’s familiarity and opportunity put them in the pole position. Whether they can stay there will depend on how quickly they can build a wall in front of the quarterback they’re trying to land.