Fall camp has arrived at Auburn, and the quarterback room is once again the center of attention.
That’s not new territory for the Tigers, but this year carries a different feel. Auburn coach Alex Golesh is trying to change the conversation around the position and build an offense fans can actually buy into after years of inconsistency under center.
The first thing to know about Auburn’s quarterbacks heading into camp: there are no returners.
For the second straight year, Auburn is starting from scratch at quarterback after every signal caller from last season moved on through the transfer portal. Jackson Arnold is now committed to Dan Mullen and the UNLV Rebels.
Ashton Daniels is lined up to start at Florida State. Deuce Knight went back to his home state and will serve as the backup quarterback at Ole Miss this fall.
Even with that kind of turnover at one of the most important spots on the roster, Golesh and his staff clearly had a plan for how they wanted to rebuild the room.
Byrum Brown is the name at the top of it. The senior is expected to open as Auburn’s starter after spending three seasons with Golesh at South Florida.
Brown’s biggest year came in 2025, when he threw for 3,158 yards and ran for 1,008 more. He was the only quarterback in the country last season to top 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards, and he led the nation in total yards per game.
Because this is Brown’s final year of eligibility, Auburn still has work to do beyond this season. That’s where Tristan Ti’a comes in. The redshirt freshman transferred from Oregon State and made a solid impression during Auburn’s A-Day spring game, throwing for 179 yards and accounting for two total touchdowns.
The rest of the room has a Golesh connection, too. Locklen Hewlett followed him from South Florida after serving as the Bulls’ third-string quarterback. Over the course of the year, he completed seven of 12 passes for 90 yards, and he also hit a 45-yard touchdown pass on a fake punt in USF’s season opener against Boise State.
Rhys Brush rounds out the group as a true freshman. The three-star prospect was originally committed to USF under Golesh before flipping to Auburn when Golesh took the job.
In Other News...
Auburns First Camp Practice Put One Early Depth Chart Battle In Focus
Auburn officially opened preseason camp with its first practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center, and the early focus was less on scheme than on who was actually available and what the roster looks like at the margins. Several players were either missing or working under restrictions as the Tigers began the ramp-up to the season, while Sylvester Smith-Reed and Christian Neptune were among those in non-contact jerseys as the staff got its first extended look at the group.
The opening day also gave coaches a chance to point out some names they expect to keep pushing into the conversation, with Omar Mabson II and Jared Smith among the players singled out as possible breakout candidates. Elijah Melendez was another player mentioned for his physical progress, and with the first practice now in the books, Auburn already has at least one early depth chart battle beginning to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns Rebuilt Receiver Room Is Already Creating One Early Camp Buzz
Auburns first fall camp practice offered an early glimpse of how much the receiver room has changed, and the position group wasted little time drawing attention. Media watched the first 25 minutes of the session, where offensive coordinator Joel Gordons summer praise for Chas Nimrod looked timely as Kodi Burns put the wideouts through their work. Nimrod, along with Keshaun Singleton and Erik Smith, were among the more noticeable names during the opening workout as the Tigers started sorting out targets in a rebuilt room.
The bigger question now is how quickly that group can turn early camp flashes into dependable production once the pace picks up and the depth chart starts to harden. Auburn has clearly identified a few receivers who have already made a first impression, but the first day of camp is only a snapshot, and the coming practices will show whether those names keep separating themselves as the competition tightens. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns First Practice Put One Early Tigers Decision In Focus
Auburn opened preseason practice Aug. 5 at the Woltosz Football Performance Center with the countdown to Baylor already in motion, and the first day offered an early look at where a few key pieces stand. Safety An'Quon Fegans was among the players taking part, while cornerback Shamar Arnoux remained in rehabilitation, giving the Tigers an immediate snapshot of both the healthy depth and the spots still being managed as camp gets underway.
Edge rusher Da'Shawn Womack also was out there for practice, a notable development after his June arrest and one that put an early focus on how Auburn intends to handle the situation moving forward. The football side of camp is just beginning, but this was the kind of off-field issue that can quickly shape the tone of August if the program does not settle it cleanly. [Read more 🡒]