The Auburn Tigers have been on a quest for a reliable quarterback over the past few seasons, and it seems like new head coach Alex Golesh might have found his man in Byrum Brown. Brown's name has been buzzing around the Plains, and for good reason. Recently, CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford weighed in with a bold take - Brown could be a dark horse in this year's Heisman race, even with odds at +5500.
Crawford's analysis highlights that if Golesh can transform Auburn into a contender right out of the gate, Brown possesses the talent to shake up the Heisman conversation. The chemistry between Brown and Golesh is a key factor here. During their time at USF, Brown thrived under Golesh's system, racking up 42 touchdowns and over 4,100 yards of offense, establishing himself as one of the nation's standout dual-threat quarterbacks.
It's a tall order for Brown in his final year of eligibility with the Tigers, but there's potential. His performance against Boise State in 2025 already had some considering him a Heisman dark horse. The question remains: can he replicate that success at Auburn?
For Brown to become a serious Heisman contender, Auburn will need to exceed expectations significantly, likely surpassing their projected 6.5 wins for 2026. Last season's defense showed they can keep the Tigers competitive, but it will be up to Brown and his squad to close out games where previous offenses fell short.
Brown is already recognized as a top-tier rusher, and he's got solid support in the backfield with Auburn returner Jeremiah Cobb and Baylor transfer Bryson Washington. This dynamic duo should provide Brown with ample opportunities to showcase his running prowess.
However, the passing game is where things get interesting. The Tigers' receiving corps largely consists of Brown’s former USF teammates. This familiarity could be a boon for Auburn's passing attack, but there's concern about how these receivers will handle the SEC's formidable defenses.
It’s going to take an extraordinary effort from Brown, Golesh, and the entire team to propel Brown into the Heisman spotlight this year. But as we know in sports, anything is possible.
In Other News...
One Auburn Staff Addition Could Loom Large At Tennessee
Auburns coaching staff gained a familiar face this offseason in Tim Banks, and his arrival has a little extra relevance with Tennessee coming up on the schedule. Banks is now handling safeties for the Tigers, but his background matters just as much as his title: he spent five seasons with Josh Heupel in Knoxville as Tennessees defensive coordinator, giving Auburn a coach who knows the Volunteers offensive tendencies from the inside.
That kind of familiarity does not guarantee anything on game day, but it can matter in a matchup like this, where small edges are often built in the meeting room before they show up on the field. Banks fit alongside defensive coordinator DJ Durkin could help Auburn sort through that preparation, and the Tigers also have a few other staff ties to Knoxville in the building as they get ready for the trip. [Read more 🡒]
SEC Buzz Builds As Alabama Shifts Recruiting Talk And Arch Stirs Debate
Archie Manning stepped into the conversation around his grandsons first season as Texas starting quarterback, pushing back on the way Arch Manning was judged in 2025. He said Arch was treated unfairly, argued that people had put too much on him before he ever took a snap, and pointed to the way the quarterback settled in and played through the back half of the year.
Meanwhile, Alabamas recruiting momentum picked up again with a commitment that gives the Crimson Tide another early piece in a class that had drawn some scrutiny. For Auburn fans, it is another reminder that the race on the trail never really slows down in this league, and Alabama is already trying to reset the conversation about where its 2027 class is headed. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn May Be Headed For A Bigger Year 1 Than Expected
Expectations are already climbing around Auburn in Alex Goleshs first season, and the early national projections suggest the Tigers could settle into a winning year right away. A CBS Sports forecast has Auburn at 7-5, but there is a growing sense that the roster work done through the transfer portal, along with the programs recruiting push, gives this team a better chance to outperform the cautious outside view.
A more optimistic read of the schedule points toward a stronger finish and even the possibility of a winning SEC record in year one, which would be a notable step for a staff still settling in. The real question now is whether Auburn can turn that offseason momentum into enough conference wins to make the higher-end projection feel less like a ceiling and more like the baseline. [Read more 🡒]