Besides rooting for USF in this upcoming football season, many Bulls fans will no doubt cast an eye to the west to check on the Auburn Tigers.
It's only natural, given that 13 former Bulls joined Alex Golesh and several coaches in moving on to Auburn. But apparently, that move also includes chips on some shoulders -- an understandable reaction to the over-the-top scrutiny and speculation the Bulls face from an outspoken portion of Auburn's fan base.
At USF, we remember quarterback Byrum Brown as electric on the field and basically a church mouse off of it. He was obviously coached in interviews about the art of using words to say very little. You wouldn't look to him for a headline-grabbing quote.
But what he said in an interview with On3's Chris Low was at least little eyebrow-raising.
"We plan to show that we belong on this level and that we can compete with anybody, no matter what conference it is, the AAC or the SEC," he said.
NEW: Auburn QB Byrum Brown tells @Clowfb he and fellow USF transfers are ready to prove themselves and help get Auburn back to winning:
— On3 (@On3) May 26, 2026
"We plan to show that we belong on this level and that we can compete with anybody, no matter what conference it is, the AAC or the SEC."… pic.twitter.com/uAsJK5gLps
It's fair to say that many Tigers' fans are, to put it mildly, skeptical. Message boards melted down when Brown had a mediocre showing in Auburn's spring game. It brought renewed attention to his throwing motion, which can be awkward at times.
That didn't stop him last season from becoming the 12th quarterback in FBS history to pass for 3,000 yards (3,158) and rush for 1,000 yards (1,008). That list includes Vince Young, Johnny Manziel and Lamar Jackson. Pretty good company, eh?
Bulls fans know that he was instant offense at USF.
But many Auburn fans will counter that much of that production was "only" against American Conference opposition and not the type of opponent he and the former Bulls will face in the SEC.
Hence, the chip on the shoulder.
“I think I speak for all the guys that are coming from South Florida, and that is that we plan to show that we belong on this level and that we can compete with anybody, no matter what conference it is, the AAC or the SEC,” Brown told On3. “We know it’s a challenge. We know it’s great competition, but we feel like we can play with the best of them, and they brought us here for a reason. It would be truly amazing looking back on it and Auburn’s continuing to have success, that we were a part of that team that helped start that success and see it continuing.
“So more than anything, you want to be one of those guys that says, ‘We were part of that 2026 football team that helped bring Auburn back to where it should be.’”
Speaking of "great competition," it's worth mentioning that Brown and his teammates drove 89 yards in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter to beat Florida last season in The Swamp. Brown threw for 263 yards and a touchdown in that game and ran for 63 more.
His throwing motion worked just fine in that game.
The word swagger is often overused in sports, but Brown has it. It's a confidence that rubs off on his teammates, and that won't change just because he and his brother Bulls will be playing in the (say it with reverence) S.E.C.
And just a friendly reminder to Auburn fans -- you've been complaining for years about crappy quarterback play. You now have a guy who can elevate the program to where you believe it should be. With the exposure he can get at Auburn, he could be in the running for the Heisman Trophy.
But go ahead. Keep complaining about the way he throws. Keep saying that beating Charlotte and Rice isn't the same as beating Alabama and Georgia.
And watch that shoulder chip grow. He plans to show it to you.
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