While Tennessee football is still figuring out what its quarterback position will look like for next season, one of its opponents has secured one of the top options in the country. On Tuesday, USF transfer Byrum Brown made it official that he’ll be following his head coach, Alex Golesh, to Auburn.
This means that the Vols will have to square off with Brown next season inside Neyland Stadium. There is no kickoff time or TV designation yet, but the game is scheduled for Oct. 3, marking the second SEC game of the year for UT.
That matchup will feature plenty of familiar faces for Tennessee, as well. Golesh, the new head coach for the Tigers, spent two seasons in Knoxville as Josh Heupel’s offensive coordinator. As he prepares for his first year at Auburn, he’s already hired former Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks, wide receivers coach Kodi Burns and offensive lineman Parker Ball to his staff.
Let’s Go to work! @ByrumBrown17 😤
🗞️: https://t.co/dvePBQlAuV https://t.co/rXOTtZB6tv pic.twitter.com/2jCUSZ0jLn
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) January 6, 2026
More From RTI: Josh Heupel Visits No. 3-Ranked Recruit, Elite Cornerback in Class of 2027
Now, a Tennessee defense that will have a lot of new parts from personnel to the coaching staff, now led by defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, will have to deal with Brown. He’s coming off a season at USF where he posted 3,158 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also ran for 14 touchdowns and 1,008 yards.
Brown is entering his fifth season of college football next year after spending four years at USF. He was Golesh’s starter in all three of his seasons with the Bulls, but had to miss over half of the 2024 campaign with an injury. This will be his final year of eligibility.
According to 247, Brown was the No. 7 transfer quarterback this cycle. While the portal isn’t closed and higher-ranked signal callers could join and pass him, it’d be very surprising if he didn’t finish out as a top-10 quarterback transfer this year.
Tennessee currently has two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster in redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon. The Vols may look to the portal to add one, but haven’t been seriously tied to any prospects yet. However, rumors and reports continue to arise that Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson could enter, and it’d be a natural fit with Tennessee.
