Kodi Burns isn’t just familiar with what it takes to win at Auburn - he’s lived it. Now, as he steps into a pivotal role in reshaping the Tigers’ offense, he’s bringing with him a blueprint that’s already shown flashes of success under Alex Golesh, first at Tennessee and then at USF.
At the heart of that system? A vertical passing game that thrives on explosive plays and wide receivers who can stretch the field.
And while Auburn lost some serious talent from last year’s receiving corps - including Cam Coleman, Malcolm Simmons, and Eric Singleton - Burns isn’t hitting the panic button. Instead, he’s reloaded with a group of transfers who bring both experience and familiarity with the offensive system.
“These guys know the system,” Burns said of the incoming transfers from USF. “They’re ultra-competitive, and they’ve already proven they can play.”
Burns isn’t sugarcoating the reality of today’s college football landscape. Roster turnover is inevitable, especially in the transfer portal era.
But his approach is clear: adapt, reload, and move forward. And that’s exactly what he’s done by bringing in a group of receivers who already have chemistry with quarterback Byrum Brown.
Keshaun Singleton, Chas Nimrod, and Jeremiah Koger all arrive with live-game reps alongside Brown, which gives this offense a head start. Add in Christian Neptune and Kory Pettigrew, and you’ve got a receiving room that’s been built with purpose - not just to fill holes, but to hit the ground running.
“From a quarterback perspective, you always preach timing, precision, and accuracy,” Burns explained. “A quarterback has to be comfortable with who he’s throwing the ball to.
When you’ve got guys who’ve already played a lot of ball with Byrum, that chemistry is already there. You can close your eyes and know where he’s going to be.”
That kind of trust between quarterback and receiver isn’t built overnight - but Auburn doesn’t have to wait. With that familiarity already baked in, the Tigers can skip the early-season growing pains and focus on execution.
“You don’t have to spend time figuring things out in a game or during the season,” Burns said. “It’s already been proven. Everybody’s on the same page.”
Of course, Auburn isn’t starting completely from scratch. Bryce Cain, Sam Turner, Derick Smith, and Erick Smith are back from last year’s squad. But Burns made it clear: the new additions aren’t just filling out the depth chart - they’re expected to lead.
“I talk to my players all the time about it, but here at Auburn, you’ve got to be different,” Burns said. “It starts with an edge and a toughness factor.”
And it’s not just about catching passes. In this offense, wide receivers are expected to be physical - especially in the run game. Burns emphasized that receivers who can block effectively force defenses to adjust, often shifting from two-high safety looks to one-high, opening the door for big plays downfield.
“When you’re able to run the ball because your receivers are helping in the run game, defensive coordinators have to commit more bodies to the box,” Burns explained. “That’s when you want to go eat.”
This is where Golesh’s system shines. It’s built to exploit space, isolate matchups, and let playmakers do what they do best. The philosophy is simple: take what the defense gives you - and when they give you one-on-ones, make them pay.
“Our offense is wide open,” Burns said. “We’re going to have a lot of opportunities for receivers to go one-on-one and be out in space. That’s when we operate at a high clip.”
From Tennessee to UCF to USF, this offensive scheme has produced results. Now, with a familiar cast of characters and a clear identity, Auburn is looking to keep that momentum rolling - this time on the Plains.