Auburn football QB Byrum Brown may be even better entering the 2026 season. After making history at South Florida, Brown has impressed Chas Nimrod with his improved passing, accuracy and confidence as he prepares to lead Alex Golesh's offense in the SEC.
Byrum Brown was already the Auburn Tigers most important player heading into the season
Somehow, he might have gotten better.
Most of the questions surrounding Auburn's offense throughout the offseason haven't really been about Brown.
Instead, it's been about the things around him
Who emerges at wide receiver?
How quickly can everyone learn Alex Golesh's offense? Brown was basically the one thing Auburn didn't have to worry about. And according to his teammates, he has improved even more compared to his historic season last year at South Florida.
Golesh brought his quarterback with him from South Florida, immediately eliminating any potential quarterback competition and giving Auburn someone who already knows exactly how this offense is supposed to operate.
It's easy to tell folks there is no quarterback battle when the one you bring is one of only 13 players in college football history to pass for 3000 yards and rush for 1000 yards in a single season. Something that Brown did in 2025.
But while Auburn spent the offseason trying to improve everything around Brown, it sounds like he improved, too.
His wide receiver, Chas Nimrod, has noticed it.
And that's significant considering Nimrod played with Brown at South Florida before following Golesh to Auburn.
"He's definitely fitting it into tight windows," Nimrod said. "Like he's throwing the ball very well and confidently."
That's what you want to hear.
Brown has already proven he can make plays with his legs.
He's already proven he can produce in Golesh's offense.
Now he's apparently becoming even better as a passer.
And it's not like he was terrible beforehand. Brown was a 66% completion percentage passer this past year. More than serviceable at the position, without question.
Nimrod specifically pointed toward some of Brown's intermediate throws throughout fall camp.
"It may not be like super far down the field, it's like intermediate but it's like a very good. That's a good throw, fit in the window or like floated over the top to somebody," Nimrod said.
That matters.
Especially once Auburn starts playing SEC defenses every week.
Brown also spent time working with quarterback trainer Jordan Palmer during the offseason, while Golesh has repeatedly praised how seriously his quarterback approaches everything away from the field.
During mock game week, Golesh talked about Brown essentially having his schedule planned "down to the minute."
The younger quarterbacks have noticed.
Golesh even joked that they follow Brown around like "little ducklings."
That's the kind of quarterback Auburn has been missing. And as a fan, it's refreshing.
There hasn't been any drama surrounding the position. There hasn't been a competition that lasts throughout fall camp. There hasn't been a question about whether Auburn actually has the right guy.
Because Brown is the guy.
