AUBURN - When Alex Golesh took the reins at Auburn, he didn’t just inherit a program - he hit the reset button. What we’re seeing now is a full-scale reboot, top to bottom. With spring practices just around the corner, more than 90 players are on the Tigers’ first roster under Golesh, and over 60% of them weren’t even in the building last season.
That kind of turnover doesn’t just happen on the field. Golesh kept only two coaches from the previous staff - defensive coordinator DJ Durkin and defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams.
The rest? All new, and all bringing experience from the SEC and other Power Five battles.
It’s a staff built for the long haul, but also one that had to move fast.
They didn’t have the luxury of easing into things. Golesh and his staff had to work the transfer portal hard and grab what they could from the high school ranks - all while navigating a coaching change that hit just days before National Signing Day.
The result? A roster that’s been together for just about a month, now grinding through winter workouts and prepping for a crucial spring.
Over the past week, Auburn opened the doors to its coaching staff for roundtable interviews, giving us a chance to hear directly from the people shaping this new-look team. Head coach Alex Golesh, defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon also spoke last week, offering insight into the early stages of the rebuild.
And while there’s a lot to unpack, one thing is clear: a handful of players are already standing out. Here’s a look at 15 names that kept popping up in conversations with the coaching staff - starting with the quarterback who could define Year 1 of the Golesh era.
QB Byrum Brown
Let’s start with the centerpiece. Byrum Brown isn’t just Auburn’s new quarterback - he’s the engine of this offense.
Last season at USF, Brown put up a rare 3,000-yard passing, 1,000-yard rushing campaign. That kind of dual-threat production isn’t just eye-catching - it’s elite.
According to Pro Football Focus, he was the only FBS quarterback to earn top-tier grades in both passing and rushing. That tells you everything you need to know about his versatility and impact.
But Brown isn’t just a stat sheet stuffer. His toughness and leadership are what have Auburn’s staff buzzing.
Offensive coordinator Joel Gordon described him as “tough as nails” and “full of grit.” That’s not just coach-speak - it’s a reflection of how Brown carries himself.
He’s already setting the tone in workouts, and Golesh said he’s “worked maybe as hard as anybody in the country” to earn his shot in the SEC.
Confidence is key at quarterback, and Golesh made it clear: Brown’s got it. “You can’t fake it,” the head coach said. And that authenticity is already resonating throughout the locker room.
There’s also a built-in advantage here. Wide receivers coach Kodi Burns, who coached Brown last season at USF, said Auburn won’t have to go through the usual early-season identity crisis on offense - they already know who they are.
Brown’s familiarity with the scheme and the personnel around him should fast-track the Tigers’ offensive development. That includes several key transfers who followed him from USF, giving Auburn a rare level of continuity for a team in transition.
WR Chas Nimrod
While much of the focus has been on the USF connection - specifically Keshaun Singleton and Jeremiah Koger, who were the Bulls’ top two receivers last season - it was Chas Nimrod who drew the most praise from Burns during media availability.
Nimrod is a 6-foot-2 wideout with SEC experience, having spent the last three seasons at Tennessee. He was originally recruited by both Golesh and Burns, so there’s history and trust there. And before a season-ending injury cut things short last year, Nimrod was quietly putting together a breakout campaign - 23 catches, 466 yards, and three touchdowns in just seven games.
His combination of size, route-running, and familiarity with Golesh’s offensive philosophy makes him a key piece in Auburn’s revamped passing attack. Burns clearly sees him as more than just a complementary option - Nimrod is expected to be a major contributor right out of the gate.
With a new coaching staff, a retooled roster, and a quarterback who already knows the system inside and out, Auburn is setting the stage for a fast-paced, high-ceiling rebuild. The names mentioned so far are just the beginning - but if Byrum Brown and Chas Nimrod are any indication, this team isn’t planning to spend much time finding its footing.
They’re aiming to hit the ground running.