Auburn’s offense in 2026 is getting a full-scale makeover-and that’s not an exaggeration. After a rough 2025 campaign that saw the Tigers rank among the SEC’s least productive offenses, new head coach Alex Golesh wasted no time hitting the reset button. And he didn’t just tweak the roster-he flipped it.
As of Sunday morning, Auburn has brought in 25 offensive transfers. That’s not a typo.
Twenty-five. Eleven of those players followed Golesh and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon from USF, where the Bulls quietly put together one of the most explosive offenses in the country last season, finishing second nationally in total yards per game.
Now, stepping into the SEC is a different beast entirely-but Golesh is betting big on familiarity and fit. Let’s break down how Auburn’s offensive units stack up after this wave of portal additions.
1. Running Back
If there’s one group that looks ready to hit the ground running-literally-it’s the backfield. Auburn’s running back room might be the deepest and most complete unit on the roster heading into spring.
Jeremiah Cobb is back after nearly cracking the 1,000-yard mark last season, and he won’t be alone. Auburn added three more backs through the portal, all of whom bring proven production.
Bryson Washington headlines the group. He joins the Tigers after three seasons at Baylor, including a breakout 2024 campaign with 1,028 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s a physical, downhill runner who thrives in zone schemes-something Golesh’s offense leans into heavily.
Tae Meadows, who rushed for 695 yards and six touchdowns at Troy last season, brings a mix of power and vision. And then there’s Nykahi Davenport, another USF transfer who averaged a blistering 6.2 yards per carry in 2025. His familiarity with Golesh’s system gives him a leg up in the competition for early reps.
Put it all together, and Auburn’s backfield has a mix of experience, explosiveness, and scheme fit that could make it the engine of this revamped offense.
2. Quarterback
If this list was based solely on the starter, quarterback might top the rankings. That’s how high the ceiling is with Byrum Brown under center.
Brown isn’t just a system quarterback-he is the system. He started every game for Golesh and Gordon during their three-year run at USF and led the entire country in total offense per game in 2025.
At 6-foot-3, 231 pounds, he’s a true dual-threat who knows the offense inside and out. That kind of continuity is rare in a rebuild like this.
But depth is a concern. Behind Brown, Auburn added Locklan Hewlett-another USF transfer-and Tristan Ti’a.
Both are talented, but neither has logged significant college snaps. If Brown stays healthy, Auburn’s offense could hum.
If not, things get dicey fast.
Still, with Brown at the controls, the Tigers have a dynamic playmaker who can extend plays, attack defenses vertically, and keep the chains moving with his legs. He’s the kind of quarterback who can elevate a team in transition.
3. Wide Receiver
This group saw a lot of turnover-and that’s putting it mildly. Auburn lost several top-end playmakers from last year’s receiving corps, including Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr., both of whom are staying in the SEC but suiting up elsewhere.
To fill the void, Golesh brought in a familiar crew from USF, starting with Keshaun Singleton. Singleton posted 877 yards and eight touchdowns on 50 receptions in 2025, and he profiles as a go-to target in this offense. He’s got the size, route-running polish, and hands to make an immediate impact.
Chas Nimrod, Jeremiah Koger, and Christian Neptune also followed Golesh from USF, giving Auburn a solid foundation of receivers who already know the playbook. That’s a big deal in a tempo-heavy offense that demands quick reads and precise timing.
The Tigers also return some intriguing young talent in Bryce Cain, Sam Turner, and Duke Smith. While the group may not have the star power of last year’s unit, it’s deep enough to keep defenses honest-and experienced enough to execute from Day 1.
4. Offensive Line
No position group was hit harder by offseason attrition than the offensive line. Auburn lost 12 linemen from last year’s roster, which meant Golesh and his staff had to completely rebuild the trenches.
They responded by adding nine transfers and five freshmen. Five of those transfers were starters at their previous schools in 2025, and several are expected to compete for starting jobs right away.
Tackles Stanton Ramil and Joseph Simmons were key pickups. Both have the size and experience to anchor the edges of the line, and both are expected to be in the mix for starting roles this fall.
At center, Auburn landed Cole Best-a two-year starter at USF who brings not only experience but also chemistry with Brown. That connection between quarterback and center is often overlooked, but it’s critical in a fast-paced offense that relies on pre-snap reads and quick execution.
There’s still work to do in terms of cohesion and depth, but the pieces are there for this unit to be functional-and potentially solid-by the time SEC play rolls around.
5. Tight End
Tight end was another room that needed a facelift, and Auburn delivered with five portal additions.
The most familiar face is Jonathan Echols, who played under Golesh and Gordon at USF. He’s got a good grasp of the offensive system and should be a reliable option in two-tight sets or H-back looks.
But the real headline additions are Jake Johnson from North Carolina and Arlis Boardingham from Bowling Green. Johnson brings SEC experience and versatility, while Boardingham was a freshman All-American at Florida back in 2023. He’s a dynamic athlete who can stretch the field and create mismatches against linebackers.
Altogether, the group has size, athleticism, and enough depth to rotate fresh legs throughout games. The only question is recent production-none of the projected contributors put up big numbers last year, which is why this unit rounds out the bottom of the rankings. But with the right usage, there's upside here.
Final Thoughts
Auburn’s offense in 2026 is going to look-and feel-completely different. This isn’t just a facelift; it’s a full rebuild with a clear identity and vision. Golesh is betting on familiarity, fit, and tempo to lift this unit out of the SEC basement and into relevance.
It won’t be easy. The SEC is unforgiving, and success won’t come overnight. But with a quarterback who knows the system, a deep backfield, and a slew of skill players and linemen who’ve already played in this offense, Auburn has a real shot to surprise some people.
The pieces are in place. Now it’s about putting them together.