Auburn transfers Byrum Brown, Cody Sigler earn high praise from ESPN

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The Auburn Tigers will be virtually unrecognizable compared to what fans saw during the 2025 season.

Not only are the Tigers showcasing a new coaching staff, but they will also rely on a plethora of transfers after the transfer portal and NFL draft forced a roster cleanse. However, a pair of newcomers has caught the eye of one notable ESPN personality.

ESPN college football writer Bill Connelly recently released an extensive preview of the SEC, which included a ranking of his top 10 favorite incoming transfers into SEC programs. Quarterback Byrum Brown and defensive lineman Cody Sigler made the cut, checking in at No. 2 and No. 9, respectively.

Connelly first mentions Brown by saying that he is “really high” on the USF transfer after he racked up over 4,200 yards and 42 touchdowns last season. In his career, Brown has totaled 7,690 passing yards and 2,265 rushing yards over four seasons. If his style of play translates well at Auburn and in the SEC, he could produce similar numbers to those of Auburn quarterback legends Dameyune Craig, Jarrett Stidham, and Cam Newton.

Arkansas State defensive lineman Cody Sigler is next to be mentioned. Sigler, a native of New Hope in Madison County, has worked his way up from Division 2 West Alabama and Arkansas State, and is now ready to show off his toughness in the SEC. Sigler logged 35 tackles, with seven for loss and five sacks, in 2025 at Arkansas State. Connelly feels that Sigler’s ability to record those stats while weighing over 300 pounds could create havoc for opposing SEC offensive lines.

“I love a big playmaker, and the fact that Sigler had eight tackles for loss and five sacks (and broke up five passes) while listed at 302 pounds at Arkansas State makes me think he’s going to translate well to SEC life,” writes Connelly.

Auburn was well-represented in Connelly’s rankings, even outside of Brown and Sigler. Former Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman checks in at No. 5 on the list, while former Auburn linebacker Robert Woodyard Jr. wraps up the ranking at No. 10.

Connelly hopes that Coleman, now at Texas, will benefit from having consistent quarterback play from Arch Manning and that the drop issues that plagued him at Auburn will be corrected in a new system. Connelly sees Woodyard being a solid contributor in Missouri’s defense following the loss of Josiah Trotter.

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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn transfers Byrum Brown, Cody Sigler earn high praise from ESPN

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