Auburn QB will be difficult for Arkansas to ambush

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Auburn will challenge Arkansas football this season for a lot of reasons. One is that Alex Golesh, the coach who was once rumored to be going to Arkansas, will provide a stern test for Ryan Silverfield and the Hogs' coaching staff. AL.com has more on Brown:

"Auburn football quarterback Byrum Brown was listed as ESPN’s No. 16 newcomer in the country. The Tigers transfer quarterback will have all eyes on him this fall, as he is taking over the reins of an Auburn offense that has been subpar the past few football seasons. Head coach Alex Golesh handpicked Brown to follow him from South Florida to the Plains after accepting the job last December. Now, Brown will be the focal point of Auburn’s new era this fall.

“It’s truly a blessing. This is something you dream of,” Brown said. “I’m just truly blessed to be in this position. But I know with that, there comes a lot of hard work. I’m trying to do everything I can outside of talking to fans — inside this building — so I know that when I’m out on the field, the fans can trust I’m going to do my job. And my teammates and coaches can trust I’m going to do my job, as well.”

"Brown threw for 3,158 yards and 28 touchdowns at South Florida last season. He was the only quarterback in Division I to throw for over 3,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 in 2025. Despite an underwhelming spring game performance in which he finished with just 85 passing yards and two interceptions, Brown has faith that he will be the difference maker for Golesh’s vision of the Tigers offense.

“He’s been harping on it a lot," Brown said. "We want to be physically and mentally tough, fly around, be the hardest working group on the field and dominate the other team on the line of scrimmage. So that’s what we’re going to do. We talk about that every single day."

Byrum Brown is coming off a very good 2025 season. He has already shown he can play at a high level. Now he comes back in 2026, giving Auburn an experienced quarterback… but that's not all. The ingredient which really makes Byrum Brown (and therefore Auburn) formidable is that he and his 2025 head coach will remain together. He won't have to learn a new system or playbook. He will know Alex Golesh's philosophy and approach. Auburn thereby gains continuity. It pulled in the quarterback as well as the coach from another school. It got a 2-for-1 deal. If Byrum Brown or a player with comparable talent came from a team not coached by Alex Golesh, this QB situation wouldn't have as much upside … but it does. 

That's why Auburn's offense will be hard for the Arkansas defense to handle this year.

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