- Auburn’s offense gets a major overhaul: Ten of the Tigers’ 11 projected offensive starters arrived through the transfer portal as Alex Golesh begins his first season.
- Byrum Brown brings dual-threat production: Brown earned a 91.5 PFF grade in 2025 and has forced an FBS quarterback-leading 123 missed tackles since 2023.
- The offensive line is the biggest question: Auburn must replace all six offensive linemen who played at least 250 snaps last season.
Auburn endured its fifth straight losing season in 2025, the program’s first such stretch in 75 years. That led to Hugh Freeze’s firing midway through his third season as head coach.
The Tigers hired Alex Golesh away from USF after he engineered a remarkable turnaround there. The Bulls went just 4-29 in the three seasons before his arrival but improved to 23-16 during his three years as head coach, including a 9-4 record last season. Golesh has since overhauled Auburn’s offense, with 10 of the Tigers’ 11 projected starters arriving via the transfer portal.
Notable Transfer Portal Additions
- QB Byrum Brown (USF)
- WR Jeremiah Koger (USF)
- WR Keshaun Singleton (USF)
- ED Da’Shawn Womack (Ole Miss)
- RB Bryson Washington (Baylor)
Notable Transfer Portal Losses
- QB Jackson Arnold (UNLV)
- WR Cam Coleman (Texas)
- WR Eric Singleton Jr. (Florida)
- LB Robert Woodyard Jr. (Missouri)
- OT Xavier Chaplin (Florida State)
Biggest strength: What should be a much more explosive offense
Auburn’s biggest problem over the past half-decade has been an inefficient offense. That should change with Golesh calling the plays after USF ranked sixth nationally in yards per play last season. Byrum Brown followed his head coach to Auburn after earning the fourth-highest PFF grade among quarterbacks in 2025.
The Tigers also boast a top-15 running back unit and added four of USF’s five leading receivers from last season.
Biggest question mark: Will a brand new offensive line hold up against SEC competition?
Alex Golesh will run a fast-paced offense loaded with talent at the skill positions, but there are questions in the trenches. Auburn must replace all six offensive linemen who played at least 250 snaps last season.
Center Cole Best and guard Cole Skinner followed Golesh from USF and are expected to occupy starting spots. Tackles Stanton Ramil (Michigan State) and Jack Leyrer (Stanford) are intriguing options, though both are returning from season-ending injuries. Competition along the offensive line could continue until the start of the season, but if the group can develop into a competent unit, Auburn’s offense has the potential to be one of the better units in the country.
Quarterback: Byrum Brown
Brown is one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. En route to second-team all-conference honors in 2025, Brown earned a 91.5 PFF grade that ranked fourth among qualified quarterbacks, trailing only Heisman finalists Julian Sayin, Diego Pavia and Fernando Mendoza.
Brown has the requisite size and arm strength to create big plays, though his accuracy and decision-making can waver against better competition. He is most dangerous on the ground, where his 123 forced missed tackles since 2023 lead all FBS quarterbacks.
Offensive Player Spotlight: RB Jeremiah Cobb
Cobb returns to lead Auburn’s backfield after a strong junior campaign. He ranked sixth among SEC running backs in rushing yards (969), yards per carry (5.5) and explosive runs (24).
At 200 pounds, Cobb has excellent acceleration and speed, having clocked a 4.42-second 40-yard dash in high school.
Defensive Player Spotlight: LB Xavier Atkins
Atkins earned first-team All-SEC honors last season thanks to his athleticism and playmaking ability. He tied for third among SEC players with 10 sacks while leading the conference with 51 defensive stops.
Atkins’ lack of size can get him into trouble at times, but his blazing speed is an asset in all facets of the game. He should continue to fill the stat sheet in 2026.
Bottom Line
If Golesh can engineer an immediate turnaround on offense, Auburn has the talent to reach a bowl game for the first time in three years.
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