Auburn has a new coach, a new quarterback and a roster that looks dramatically different than it did a year ago.
Whether that translates into a return to national relevance remains to be seen.
ESPN ranked the Tigers No. 37 in its 2026 Future Power Rankings, a projection that evaluates programs through the 2027 season based on quarterback outlook, offensive and defensive line play, roster management, star power and coaching staff.
The ranking reflects both the optimism surrounding first-year coach Alex Golesh and the uncertainty that comes with a program undergoing another major transition.
The biggest reason for optimism starts behind center.
Transfer quarterback Byrum Brown followed Golesh from South Florida after developing into one of the nation's most productive dual-threat quarterbacks. Brown has thrown for more than 3,100 yards in each of his past two full seasons and has accounted for 52 touchdown passes during that span. He added another dimension with his legs in 2025, rushing for 1,008 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Brown gives Auburn an experienced quarterback entering the SEC, while ESPN also pointed to freshman Rhys Brush as a potential long-term answer after originally committing to Golesh at South Florida.
Auburn also attacked perhaps its biggest offseason priority by rebuilding both lines of scrimmage through the transfer portal.
The offensive line added South Florida transfers Cole Best and Cole Skinner, while tackles Joseph Simmons from James Madison and Stanton Ramil from Michigan State are expected to compete for starting roles. Miami transfer Deryc Plazz gives Auburn another young option with multiple years of eligibility.
On the defensive front, Ole Miss transfer Da'Shawn Womack and Arkansas State transfer Cody Sigler headline a group expected to play key roles alongside returning defensive tackle Dallas Walker IV. Sophomores Jared Smith and Malik Autry also are expected to factor into the rotation as Auburn looks to improve its play at the line of scrimmage.
The overhaul extended well beyond the trenches.
Golesh and his staff leaned heavily on the transfer portal, bringing several players from South Florida while adding experienced talent from around the country, including Baylor running back Bryson Washington and UCLA cornerback Andre Jordan Jr.
The roster makeover came with significant losses.
Wide receiver Cam Coleman transferred to Texas, Eric Singleton Jr. left for Florida and Auburn also lost several defensive players with starting experience during the coaching transition.
Despite the turnover, the Tigers retained several foundational pieces.
Linebacker Xavier Atkins returns after earning first-team All-SEC honors last season. He led Auburn with 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks, giving the Tigers one of the conference's top defensive playmakers.
Washington also gives Auburn an accomplished runner after recording nine career 100-yard rushing performances.
ESPN also cited recruiting as both a strength and an area to watch.
Golesh has established himself as an aggressive recruiter, already landing top-40 2027 prospect Myson Johnson-Cook. Auburn also signed 28 blue-chip prospects across the 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes.
Keeping that talent on campus has proven more difficult.
According to ESPN, Auburn has lost 13 of those blue-chip signees since they arrived, underscoring one of the challenges facing programs throughout the transfer portal era.
The coaching staff earned favorable marks as well.
Golesh retained defensive coordinator DJ Durkin while adding former Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks as co-defensive coordinator. Offensive coordinator Joel Gordon joined Golesh from South Florida, as did co-offensive coordinator Kodi Burns, the former Auburn standout who returns to his alma mater after helping develop one of the nation's most productive offenses.
The No. 37 ranking places Auburn squarely in the middle of the Power 4 landscape entering Golesh's first season. While ESPN sees a roster with proven talent at quarterback, key returning stars and an influx of transfer additions, the projection also reflects the reality that Auburn must prove it can translate an offseason overhaul into sustained success.
How quickly the Tigers climb from there will depend largely on whether Brown can make a smooth transition to the SEC, the rebuilt offensive and defensive lines develop into reliable units and Golesh can establish the consistency Auburn has lacked during the past several seasons.
