Alex Golesh just scored a major recruiting win for Auburn - and it came at the expense of one of the Tigers’ biggest rivals.
Wide receiver Brian Williams Jr., a former Alabama commit, has flipped to Auburn, giving Golesh a high-upside weapon for the future and a statement victory on the recruiting trail. Williams had been pledged to the Crimson Tide since July, but after weighing his options throughout the fall - and making a couple of quiet visits to South Florida to see Golesh’s staff - the 6-foot-4, 185-pound pass-catcher is now headed to the Plains.
Williams plays his high school ball at The First Academy in Florida, and while he’s not the most high-profile name in the 2026 cycle - ranked No. 1,049 overall and No. 148 among wide receivers in the 247Sports Composite - his physical traits and flashes of production make him an intriguing long-term piece. He’s also the kind of player who could blossom in the right system, and Golesh clearly believes that system is being built at Auburn.
Helping to seal the deal was Kodi Burns, who’s returning to Auburn alongside Golesh and has been the lead recruiter for Williams. Burns had already developed a strong relationship with the wideout while at USF, and now he brings that connection with him to the SEC.
On the field, Williams has shown signs of what he could become. As a senior, he posted 34 catches for 555 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games.
That followed a junior season at Lake Mary (Fla.) where he hauled in 23 receptions for 359 yards and five scores - despite missing time due to injury. The numbers don’t leap off the page, but the tools are there.
According to 247Sports’ scouting report, Williams is a “traits-heavy” outside receiver - long, athletic, and fluid in and out of breaks. He’s got the kind of frame that coaches love to mold: close to 6-foot-4 with the kind of speed and burst that hint at much more to come. He’s not overly physical yet, but he creates separation with quick feet and sharp releases, and he’s shown he can beat man coverage without needing to bully defenders.
There’s still development ahead - and staying healthy will be key - but Williams projects as a multi-year contributor at the Power Four level. For Auburn, this is more than just a flip.
It’s a sign that Golesh and his staff can go toe-to-toe with the big names in the SEC and win. And with the 2026 class still taking shape, this could be just the beginning.