Jon Gruden breaks down Byrum Brown, Auburn offense after visit to Jordan-Hare
Jon Gruden got an up-close look at Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown last weekend.
The Super Bowl-winning coach and longtime quarterback evaluator was at Jordan-Hare Stadium for Auburn’s game against Florida before joining former Auburn coach Terry Bowden on Bowden Ball: Auburn Edition this week.
Gruden came away with a clear assessment of Brown: His throwing motion might not look conventional, but his skill set fits what Auburn is trying to accomplish offensively.
“Does not have a prototype, I think, release,” Gruden said. “He doesn't have a release that's recognizable, but he can be effective as a passer.”
Gruden pointed first to Brown’s size and running ability. At 6-foot-5, Brown gives Auburn a physical presence at quarterback in an offense that asks him to be heavily involved in the running game.
“I think in the Auburn spread offense, his running ability, it starts right there,” Gruden said. “He's got to be able to handle the ball, keep it on the zone read, the quarterback draws. He's got to be able to dish it out.”
Gruden acknowledged Brown has an “unorthodox throwing style,” an aspect of his game that has generated plenty of discussion. But Gruden’s larger point was that evaluating quarterbacks goes well beyond what their throwing motion looks like.
Earlier in the conversation, Gruden outlined what he believes separates successful quarterbacks. Talent matters, but so do work ethic, aptitude, leadership and the other intangibles required to play the position.
Above all, Gruden emphasized quickness.
“You got to have mental quickness, you got to have arm quickness, and you got to have body quickness to reload, get off the spot, and make throws,” Gruden said. “I'm a big believer in quickness.”
Gruden said those are traits he tries to teach and improve when working with quarterbacks.
Bowden offered his own lesson about placing too much emphasis on mechanics. During his Auburn tenure, Bowden recalled evaluating an Alabama high school quarterback with an unusual throwing motion and deciding not to offer him.
That quarterback was Philip Rivers, who went on to star at NC State before a lengthy NFL career.
“I quit worrying too much about if there's a motion that they've got,” Bowden said.
Gruden also used former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton as an example of how the position has evolved as college offenses increasingly ask quarterbacks to become primary threats in the running game.
“It started really at Auburn,” Gruden said. “I mean, they had that guy Cam Newton. I've never seen anybody play the position like him.”
Gruden recalled how defenses knew Newton could get the football in critical short-yardage situations and still struggled to stop him.
“He was a freaking horse running the ball, man,” Gruden said. “But he could also throw it.”
Gruden’s trip to Auburn also left an impression beyond what he saw on the field.
“I didn't realize what a beautiful place Auburn is,” Gruden said. “Everything is so close.”
He said he spent the day around campus, met Auburn students and experienced the pregame atmosphere at Jordan-Hare Stadium, including the eagle flight.
Gruden joined Bowden for a wide-ranging conversation that also covered Vanderbilt, the evolution of quarterback play, the transfer portal, the Heisman Trophy race and Gruden’s current work with Barstool Sports.
WATCH: The complete interview with Jon Gruden is available on the Auburn Undercover YouTube channel.
