By: Joe Delaney

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

In the last 5 years the Auburn Tigers football team has been a model of consistency.

Unfortunately, that consistency has been seven losses each year. An overall record of 27-35 led to another coaching change after the 2025 season.

In comes Alex Golesh, fresh off a 9-3 season at the University of South Florida. While not a marquee hire according to some, Golesh may be just what the Tigers need.

Golesh is an offensive guru and brought much of his USF Bulls team with him. He is considered an up and comer in the coaching ranks.

It didn’t hurt that he brought one of the best transfer QB’s in the country with him to the Plains. Byrum Brown is a consensus top 10 transfer in the 2026 cycle. He also has all that time in Coach Golesh’s offense. The 6’3” 230 lb Brown is a beast.

The key is can he take success at the USF level and translate it to Auburn and the SEC? I think he can. So do the Auburn Tigers. Brown threw for over 3000 yards and rushed for over 1000. Throw in 42 total touchdowns and things are looking up on the Plains.

Over a dozen of the Bulls followed Golesh and Brown to Auburn. These Tigers will have a definite Bullish flavor to them!

Throw in the returning Tigers and some more transfers and this team looks ready to improve on last years win total.

Back to carry some of the load in the backfield will be Jeremiah Cobb. He is an ALL-SEC type of Back and rushed for just under a thousand yards in 2025. There is quality and depth behind him.

The wideouts will be by committee.  Look for Keshaun Singleton, Chas Nimrod, and tight end Jake Jounson to tote the load along with others.

Of concern is the offensive line. Transfers Cole Best, Stanton Ramil, and Joseph Simmons will be counted on. If the line can get settled and become solid then this could be a dangerous bunch of Birds.  If they struggle then the team will also.

Defensively the Tigers are led by Xavier Atkins who led a stout Auburn defense in both tackles and sacks. He is an ALL-SEC type linebacker.

Add in Elijah Melendez, Demarcus Riddick, and Bryce Deas and the backers should be very good.

Up front Dallas Walker IV, Cody Sigler, Da’Shawn Womack and Jared Smith should be solid.  It should be a tough SEC front seven.

In the back, Kaleb Harris returns at safety and is a playmaker. He is joined by Sylvester Smith-Reed, AnQuon Fegans, Rayshawn Pleasant and others.

If this group can play up to the 2025 numbers on total defense then Auburn could be a very solid team.

Add in the returning kicker in Alex McPherson and punter Hudson Kaak and the special teams should be exceptional.

Look for the Tigers to be improved in 2026. How much will be dependent on the offense and keeping Byrum Brown upright and healthy.

The schedule is brutal as usual. At Tennessee, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Alabama. Throw in Florida and LSU at home and there is little room for error.

There are only a couple of gimmies on the schedule. But if things fall into place with the offense, look for the Tigers to stay on that number seven again this year. But in wins instead of losses.

2026 Auburn Tigers Schedule

Sept.  5               vrs Baylor (Atlanta)

Sept.  12              SOUTHERN MISS

Sept.  19              FLORIDA

Sept.  26              VANDERBILT

Oct.  3                   at Tennessee

Oct.  17                 at Geoergia

Oct.  24                 LSU

Oct.  31                 at Ole Miss

Nov.  7                   ARKANSAS

Nov.  14                 at Mississippi State

Nov.  21                 SAMFORD

Nov.  28                 at Alabama

WAR EAGLE!