TAMPA, Fla. – Byrum Brown announced the inevitable on social media Tuesday morning. The former USF quarterback, who dazzled in 2025 when he became the 12th player in FBS history to pass for 3,000 yards and run for 1,000 yards in the same season, is joining coach Alex Golesh and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon at Auburn.
The migration from USF to the “Loveliest Village on the Plains” has been considerable. The Bulls’ leading rusher among running backs this season (Nykahi Davenport) and third, fourth and fifth leading receivers (Jeremiah Koger, Christian Neptune and Chas Nimrod) committed to Auburn in the preceding days. Auburn will be the third school in which Nimrod and Golesh have been together following USF and Tennessee.
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In addition, quarterback Lochlan Hewlett, who will be remembered in these parts for his touchdown pass to Keshaun Singleton from punt formation in the season opener against Boise State, is a Tiger. Speaking of Singleton, who led the Bulls in receptions (50), receiving yards (877) and touchdowns (8) as a sophomore, the dynamic receiver may have joined Golesh & Company at Auburn by the time you read this.
Jonathan Echols, whose three TD catches led the tight end corps, and receiver Kory Pettigrew, who played in four games as a freshman, also committed to Auburn.
That’s eight – eight!! – players from the offensive side of scrimmage who are headed to Auburn with at least one more on the way.
Several defensive players are in the portal with more than one expected to commit to Auburn. Corner Gavin Jenkins, who played in four games as a true freshman, already has.
In addition to Gordon, Golesh brought former Auburn QB/receiver Kodi Burns (co-OC), Tyler Hudanek (offensive line), DeMarcus Van Dyke (corners) and George Courides (strength and conditioning) with him. Larry Scott, who was a member of the inaugural USF team and an assistant under Jim Leavitt and Skip Holtz, is also on staff as the tight ends coach.
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