Byrum Brown Set to Enter Transfer Portal, Auburn a Likely Suitor in Potential Reunion with Alex Golesh
South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown is expected to enter the transfer portal when the window officially opens on January 2, and all signs point to Auburn as a program to watch closely. Brown informed USF of his decision earlier today, and while the Bulls made a strong push to keep him, he’s moving on - and he’s leaving behind a legacy.
Let’s be clear: Brown isn’t just another name hitting the portal. He’s one of the most decorated players in USF history, holding 15 individual program records. His departure marks the end of a remarkable chapter for the Bulls, and potentially the beginning of a new one for a Power Five program searching for answers at quarterback.
If Auburn does land him, it wouldn’t be a random fit - it would be a reunion. Brown thrived under Alex Golesh, who was hired as Auburn’s head coach on November 30 after three seasons at USF.
Golesh’s offensive system was tailor-made for Brown’s dual-threat skill set, and the results were electric. The pairing helped transform USF’s offense into one of the most exciting in the country, and now there’s a real chance they could run it back in the SEC.
For Auburn, the interest is obvious. The Tigers have been spinning their wheels at quarterback since Hugh Freeze took over in 2023.
Transfers have come and gone, but none have managed to lock down the job. Payton Thorne brought experience from Michigan State but couldn’t find consistency.
Jackson Arnold’s brief stint in 2025 didn’t move the needle either. It’s been a revolving door under center, and the Tigers are still searching for a long-term solution.
Enter Brown - a player who’s already proven he can lead an offense and elevate a team.
He first broke out in 2023, throwing for over 3,292 yards and accounting for 37 total touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field with his arm and beat defenses with his legs made him a nightmare to scheme against. In Golesh’s uptempo, quarterback-friendly system, Brown looked like a star in the making.
Even in 2024, when he missed seven games due to a lower leg injury and dealt with significant roster turnover, Brown remained the engine of USF’s offense. He led the Bulls to their first nine-win season in eight years, throwing for 3,158 yards and 28 touchdowns while rushing for 1,008 yards and 14 scores. That rushing total ranked fourth among FBS quarterbacks this season - a testament to just how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands.
Over his 35-game career at USF, Brown put up numbers that speak for themselves: 7,690 passing yards, 61 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, and a 65% completion rate. On the ground, he added 2,265 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns on 477 carries, averaging a solid 4.7 yards per attempt. That’s not just dual-threat - that’s full-package production.
He’s got one year of eligibility left, and if he does end up at Auburn, the transition would be about as smooth as you could hope for. He already knows Golesh’s system, terminology, and expectations. That kind of familiarity could be the key to unlocking Auburn’s offense and finally bringing some stability to a position that’s been anything but.
There’s still a process to go through, but this is one of those portal moves that could have ripple effects across the SEC. Brown has already proven he can carry a program. Now, he might get the chance to do it on one of college football’s biggest stages.