The Auburn Tigers are starting a new era this season with a new head coach and new quarterback after bringing in a very dynamic duo out of South Florida in Alex Golesh and Byrum Brown.

Under Golesh’s leadership, Brown has put up numbers that stack up with any quarterback in the nation over the last two years, now preparing to make a massive step up in competition from Group of 5 play to the SEC.

For those doubting whether or not Brown can make the leap, one college football analyst has expressed some confidence that he can.

During an appearance on “The Next Round,” ESPN’s Tom Luginbill talked about Brown and the kind of skillset he brings, which should have Tigers fans absolutely ecstatic.

“Byrum Brown is a point A to point B, get it done, doesn’t matter what it looks like, ball goes where it’s supposed to go type of guy,” Luginbill said.

“And of top of that, he’s a dynamic, physical force as a runner. He is all of 6-foot-3 235 and is a load to handle. That combined with the experience he brings is invaluable…In today’s world with roster transfer and turnover and a bunch of new faces in new guys, if your quarterback is already entrenched and ingrained in what it is you want to do, to me that’s almost invaluable right now.”

If Brown can do the kinds of things that made him great in Tampa, this Auburn team is going to be just fine in 2026 — it could even be their most successful season in years. All eyes will be on him and the Tigers when they take on Baylor in the first game of the season in Atlanta.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.