Auburn’s quarterback picture is starting to come into focus, and Byrum Brown is right at the center of it.
As the 2026 season nears, Auburn has its starter in everything but name. The bigger question now is who ends up behind the fifth-year quarterback, because the scrimmage on Friday showed how thin the race still is for the backup spot.
Head coach Alex Golesh said Brown has taken major steps since spring, and the scrimmage only reinforced that view.
“I think Tristan’s take monumental steps. He had a really good first six or, really, seven practices.
Then as it started getting heavy, and you started getting into heavy situational football, it started happening faster for him,” Golesh said. “He’s got some game in him when he’s out there.
He’s got some cool swag and a cool confidence about him, and he’s played a bunch of football for being so young. So it’s not easy for him, but I’m super happy it’s the way for him right now.”
Golesh said Brown’s growth has been obvious to the staff, especially after what he called Brown’s “first big test” in Friday’s scrimmage. Brown finished 13-for-17 for 157 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He also added a touchdown on the ground.
What stood out most, Golesh said, was how Brown handled the moment.
“I thought, for the most part, he did some really good things,” Golesh said. “I thought, for the most part, it was actually probably the best thing that could happen for him today.
He’s got some game in him when he’s out there. He’s got a cool swag and a cool confidence about him, and he’s played a bunch of football for being so young.
So it’s not easy for him, but I’m super happy it’s the way for him right now.”
The quarterback room behind him remains unsettled. Golesh said the second-team reps were split between sophomore quarterback Sophomore quarterback Jocklan Hewlett and freshman Rhysh Brush, both of whom followed Golesh from USF to Auburn. Brush flipped his commitment in December.
Golesh described the two as “competing like crazy,” and said that after the scrimmage, the coaching staff would reassess but liked where Brown stood.
“Every time byrum is supposed to be on break, he’s up there watching film. And there’s four little ducklings behind him that just follow him,” Golesh said.
“We’re going to be in a good spot there. I’m confident in all three of those guys.”
Golesh also said the system Brown has to master is demanding, especially for a second-year quarterback learning to handle the pace and volume of the offense.
“There’s a lot on him. There’s a lot of check.
There’s a lot of full-field stuff he’s got to see. There’s a ton on him in the run game.
Then you grow in the fact that you’ve got a defense that will literally give you any look on any snap, snap-to-snap,” Golesh said. “It’s not easy for him, but I’m super happy it’s the way for him right now.”
The quarterback work is happening in a tight room, and Golesh said Brown has become a mentor figure for the younger players. He pointed to Brown’s habits in the film room and the way the others stay close to him.
For Auburn, the starter may be settled. The backup battle, though, is still very much alive.
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