TAMPA, Fla. — Auburn head coach Alex Golesh believes quarterback Byrum Brown is becoming more comfortable with each passing month.
Speaking Tuesday at SEC Media Days, Golesh said Brown has made significant strides since arriving on the Plains after following him from South Florida, where the two spent three seasons together.
"You're seeing a guy that is really, really confident," Golesh said.
That wasn't always the case.
Brown spent the spring learning a new roster while facing an experienced Auburn defense that challenged him daily.
"The speed of the game is really, really fast," Golesh said. "For him, it's a bunch of new guys around him. What I've seen from him is a level of confidence as spring went, then we got into May, then we got into June."
Golesh said that confidence has continued to grow throughout summer workouts.
"You're starting to see Byrum really confident in the throw game, really confident in the run game," Golesh said. "But I think more than anything, confident in the guys around him."
Brown's familiarity with Golesh's offense has helped speed the transition, but Golesh said developing chemistry with his new teammates has been equally important.
"He now knows where the break point is for certain routes," Golesh said. "He now knows how runs are going to hit a little bit uniquely different with this offensive line."
Golesh also pointed to improved health around Brown as another reason for optimism entering preseason camp.
"This tight end group is finally healthy, which is huge for us," Golesh said. "I can't explain how big it is to have a healthy tight end room that's got depth in it now."
Brown transferred to Auburn after rewriting South Florida's record book under Golesh. He enters his final collegiate season expected to lead an offense that will be one of the biggest storylines of the Tigers' first season under the new coaching staff.
Auburn opens preseason camp in early August before kicking off the 2026 season Sept. 5 against Baylor in the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta.
