Golesh Gets His QB: Auburn Lands Byrum Brown from Transfer Portal

GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 06:South Florida Bulls head coach Alex Golesh talks with South Florida Bulls quarterback Byrum Brown (17) before they take the field during a college football game between the South Florida Bulls and Florida Gators on September 6th, 2025 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL. (Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire)

The Auburn Tigers have landed themselves who they expect to be their starting quarterback next season.

As reported on Tuesday morning by On3 and confirmed after the fact straight from the source, new Tigers head coach Alex Golesh is bringing quarterback Byrum Brown out of South Florida with him from the transfer portal.

Brown has been one of the best players in all of the Group of 5 for years now with a dynamic combination of passing and running ability, throwing for 3,158 yards this season and rushing for another 1,008. With 28 scores through the air and 14 on the ground, he accounted for 42 touchdowns while throwing just seven interceptions as well.

Originally, Brown was recruited to USF by Golesh’s predecessor, but he stuck around when Golesh got the job and the results paid dividends both for the Bulls and for Brown and Golesh themselves.

He immediately becomes the favorite to win the starting job at Auburn after all three of Jackson Arnold, Ashton Daniels and Deuce Knight all entered the portal themselves and on paper, could be the most talented quarterback the Tigers have had in years.

Of course, his game will still have to translate in an absolutely massive leap going from playing at South Florida to starting in the SEC, but under the guide of Golesh, he has become one of the most productive players in the country. It may not happen for him immediately, but the chances Brown has a strong season under Golesh on The Plains are very high.

For Auburn, it’s a welcomed dose of positive news during what has been a tough time portal wise, losing virtually their entire wide receiver room and numerous major contributors from what was one of the best defenses in college football.

Golesh is going to need some time and grace from fans, but he is building the program his way, and now he gets to call his offense with his quarterback.