Ashton Daniels Enters Portal as Golesh Targets USF Standout Byrum Brown
The Alex Golesh era at Auburn is beginning with a complete overhaul of the quarterback room, as the 2024 starter departs and a familiar face emerges as the top target.
AUBURN, Ala. — The transformation of the Auburn roster under new head coach Alex Golesh continued rapidly on Tuesday, with significant movement at the quarterback position. Ashton Daniels, who started the majority of games for the Tigers during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, has officially entered the transfer portal.
Daniels' departure comes just days after Golesh was introduced as the program's new leader, signaling a clear intent to reshape the offense to fit his high-tempo, spread system. While Daniels provided stability during a turbulent period for the program, his skill set was seemingly viewed as a mismatch for the vertical passing concepts Golesh prioritizes.
Golesh Zeroing In on "His Guy"
With the quarterback room now clearly in transition, multiple sources confirm that Auburn has identified its primary target: University of South Florida (USF) quarterback Byrum Brown.
The connection is obvious. Brown flourished under Golesh at USF, becoming one of the nation's most dynamic dual-threat playmakers. In 2025, Brown threw for over 3,200 yards and rushed for another 900, accounting for 38 total touchdowns. His familiarity with Golesh's complex offensive scheme would allow for a seamless installation process on the Plains.
Byrum Brown's 2025 Stats (USF)
- Passing Yards: 3,214
- Rushing Yards: 912
- Total Touchdowns: 38 (26 Passing, 12 Rushing)
- Completion Percentage: 67.4%
Brown officially entered the transfer portal on December 22, one day before Daniels' exit. While other programs are expected to show interest, the consensus among recruiting analysts is that Auburn is the overwhelming favorite to land his commitment.
Defensive Exodus Continues
The roster turnover isn't limited to the offense. Tuesday also brought confirmation that two key defensive starters, cornerbacks Jay Crawford and Kayin Lee, intend to enter the transfer portal. Both players were bright spots in a struggling secondary last season, and their departures leave massive holes for the new defensive staff to fill.
Golesh addressed the roster fluidity in his introductory press conference earlier this week, stating that attrition was "inevitable" and "necessary" to align the roster with the new staff's vision.
With National Signing Day approaching and the portal window fully open, Auburn fans should expect continued activity as the program works to rebuild its talent base for the 2026 campaign.
Iron Bowl History Staff
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