How Alex Golesh and Auburn's staff won over transfer QB Tristan Ti’a
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Auburn fans were excited to watch USF transfer quarterback Byrum Brown for the first time in the orange and blue during last Saturday’s A-Day game. However, it was Auburn’s backup quarterback who stole the show.
Auburn’s rebuilt quarterback room featured three transfers and a freshman signee, with Brown leading the way. However, Auburn fans can find peace knowing that its expected backup has what it takes to lead the team down the field.
Oregon State transfer Tristan Ti’a proved that point early in Saturday’s A-Day game by leading the Tigers’ second team offense on a seven-play, 83-yard drive that ended with a 28-yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman wide receiver Duke Smith. During the drive, he completed four passes, with three resulting in gains of over 14 yards. He ended the day going 15-for-20 passing for 179 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also added a touchdown on the ground.
“It was good to see Tristan operate,” Auburn head coach Alex Golesh said postgame. “He’s had his ups and downs. He’s a baby. Like he’s a freshman. He played five games in the fall (at Oregon State). There’s so many traits there. He’s highly, highly intelligent. He’s got a pretty ball. He’s really accurate. You saw him run around a little bit today. That was good to see.”
Ti’a’s performance may have come as a surprise to several, but not to him, as he proved that placing his trust in the Auburn coaching staff during his time in the transfer portal has brought out the best version of himself.
“When I was in the portal, (Auburn was) pretty heavy after me. They made it clear that they really wanted me and that gave me a good feeling of comfort, and just on the visit here, they showed me everything that I needed, everything that I would want.”
Ti’a continued by saying that Auburn’s coaching staff is living up to its recruiting pitch. Every word, every action has been true, which brings Ti’a comfort in knowing that he is in the right place.
“Nothing changed from the visit. They were true to their word, which is something that I really respected and followed. Like the way they coached, the way they brought the daily schedules, everything,” Ti’a said. “Everything was intentional with what they were doing. And that just made it easier for me just to be able to follow their game plans, follow whatever they’re coaching, and just being able to apply it to knowing myself and my teammates and on the field.”
Ti’a joins Auburn’s roster as a redshirt freshman after spending the 2025 season at Oregon State, where he completed 70% of his passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns. Most of his numbers were from Oregon State’s game at Washington State in November, when he passed for 240 yards and a touchdown.
The Auburn quarterback race appears to be settled this season. However, expect Ti’a to be a major candidate for the 2027 race that is expected to include USF transfer Locklan Hewlett, true freshman Rhys Brush, and possibly a 2027 high school signee.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn football: How Alex Golesh won over QB Tristian Ti’a
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