Auburn football is heading into the 2026 season with a new identity-and a whole lot of new faces. Head coach Alex Golesh, entering his first year on the Plains, has wasted no time reshaping the roster.
The Tigers have brought in a staggering 34 transfers since Golesh took over, along with 20 incoming freshmen. That’s a full-scale overhaul, and while some familiar names from the Hugh Freeze era remain, this is very much Golesh’s team now.
With so many new additions, the spotlight naturally turns to who can make an immediate impact. And from that deep transfer class, five names stand out as potential game-changers for Auburn this fall.
Byrum Brown, QB
Let’s start with the most important position on the field.
Byrum Brown wasn’t just Auburn’s top target in the portal-he’s the guy expected to lead this offense from day one. The 6-foot-3, 231-pound quarterback followed Golesh from USF, where he was the engine behind one of the most explosive offenses in the country.
Brown led the nation in total offense in 2025, averaging 347.2 yards per game (263.17 passing, 84.0 rushing). That’s not just production-that’s command of the game.
What makes Brown’s transition to Auburn so intriguing is his familiarity with the system. He’s spent three years in Golesh’s offense, working closely with offensive coordinator Joel Gordon.
That kind of continuity is rare in college football, especially during a coaching change. Brown’s dual-threat ability, size, and comfort in the scheme give Auburn a legitimate weapon at quarterback-and the success of Golesh’s first season could ride heavily on how well Brown adjusts to SEC defenses.
Bryson Washington, RB
Auburn fans got their first look at Bryson Washington when he lined up for Baylor against the Tigers in the 2025 season opener.
He didn’t exactly light up the stat sheet that day-54 yards on 14 carries-but he made enough of an impression. From there, Washington went on a tear, posting three straight 100-yard games and finishing the season with 788 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
At 6-foot, 216 pounds, Washington brings a solid mix of power and burst. He was even more productive the year before as a redshirt freshman, topping 1,000 yards and nearly hitting 200 in a couple of games.
Auburn’s backfield will be a committee setup under Golesh and Gordon, with Washington expected to share touches with Jeremiah Cobb and USF transfer Nykahi Davenport. Still, Washington’s track record suggests he can be a steady contributor-even if he’s not the feature back.
Cody Sigler, DL
Auburn needed to reload on the defensive line after losing most of its 2025 production, and they may have found a gem in Cody Sigler.
The Alabama native comes in from Arkansas State, where he posted 35 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, and six pass breakups last season. That’s production you take seriously-especially from a 6-3, 297-pound lineman who plays with a high motor.
Sigler isn’t new to proving himself. Before Arkansas State, he was at Division II West Alabama, where he racked up 12 tackles for loss in 2023.
Now he’s taking another step up in competition, but the tools are there. Auburn’s defense thrived last season thanks in large part to consistent line play.
If Sigler can bring that same disruptive energy to the SEC, he could play a big role in anchoring the new-look front.
Chas Nimrod, WR
Chas Nimrod is one of five USF wideouts to follow Golesh to Auburn, but he might be the most intriguing of the bunch.
His 2025 numbers don’t jump off the page-limited to six games, he didn’t rack up the volume of catches or yards that others did-but when he did get the ball, he made it count. Nimrod averaged over 20 yards per reception, hinting at the kind of vertical threat Auburn’s offense could use.
He’s also no stranger to the SEC. Nimrod spent three seasons at Tennessee, contributing steadily in 2024.
That blend of SEC experience and big-play potential makes him a valuable addition to a wide receiver room that’s still finding its identity. If he stays healthy and builds chemistry with Brown, Nimrod has a chance to be a go-to target in this offense.
Da'Shawn Womack, Edge Rusher
On the defensive side, few additions carry more weight than Da’Shawn Womack.
At 6-5, 265, Womack brings size, athleticism, and a résumé that includes playoff experience. He played in all 15 games for Ole Miss during their College Football Playoff run in 2025, tallying 27 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and 19 pressures, per Pro Football Focus.
Auburn had a major need at edge rusher after losing Keldric Faulk, Amaris Williams, Keyron Crawford, and Chris Murray. Womack doesn’t just fill that void-he could elevate the group.
Originally a five-star recruit, he started his career at LSU and showed flashes there before transferring to Ole Miss. Now, in his third program in three years, Womack is positioned to be a centerpiece of Auburn’s pass rush.
This Auburn team is going to look and feel different in 2026, and that’s by design. With Alex Golesh at the helm and a wave of transfers ready to contribute, the Tigers are betting big on experience, familiarity, and upside.
Whether it’s Brown commanding the offense, Washington grinding out tough yards, Sigler and Womack bringing pressure up front, or Nimrod stretching the field, these five players could be the foundation for Auburn’s next chapter. And if things click, that chapter might start off with a bang.