Andy Staples says Auburn’s Byrum Brown could be among nation’s best QBs in 2026
By David Wasson
Published:
The Auburn Tigers were one of six SEC programs to refresh their college football coaching staffs heading into 2026, tapping former USF coach Alex Golesh to replace the fired Hugh Freeze in December.
Golesh didn’t take long to clean out his quarterback room, as Jackson Arnold, Deuce Knight and Ashton Daniels all moved on to new programs. Golesh also didn’t stray too far in choosing who the presumptive QB1 will be on the Plains, either, luring former USF quarterback Byrum Brown to Auburn via the transfer portal.
That transaction attracted plenty of attention, including from On3’s Andy Staples – who declared Wednesday on The Next Round radio show in Birmingham that Brown could quickly reach the summit of the national quarterback mountain.
“He is so effective throwing the ball and running. What we saw him do in Gainesville against Florida’s defense (in 2025 with USF) was impressive,” Staples said. “I think Byrum Brown, if things go well … could be one of the best quarterbacks in the country, not just the SEC. He’s got all the tools for it and he knows this offense really well.”
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The 6-foot-3 Brown passed for 3,158 yards and 28 touchdowns in Golesh’s system at USF in 2025, including a 263-yard effort en route to upsetting the Gators 18-16. Brown also rushed for 1,008 yards and 14 touchdowns.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
