Byrum Brown sounded upbeat and energetic as he gave an update on his health in a podcast with Darek Sharp, the Bulls Unlimited Audio Producer at USF.
Simply put, it’s Condition Green (and Gold): Full go.
“I'm feeling outstanding,” he said. “Glad to be putting in the work with the guys and getting ready to achieve this common goal that we have, which is a conference championship.”
Listen to "Quarterback Byrum Brown sits down with Darek" by South Florida Bulls Audio Network. https://t.co/CGIS3t9ozC
— dareksharp (@DarekSharp) July 18, 2025
In 2023, his first season as USF’s starting quarterback, Brown was electric. Last season, not so much. He struggled, particularly on deep throws, and opponents made a top priority out of stopping him.
Against Alabama, for instance, he was sacked four times and completed only 15 of 35 passes for 103 yards. Tulane sacked him four times, and he suffered a broken leg on the last one, which knocked him out for the year.
So, yes, there are fair questions about what to expect. The Athletic, a pay site, ranked each projected starter for all 136 FBS teams.
Brown was in Tier 5, No. 71 overall. That Tier, the authors noted, was for quarterbacks that “have played well in college but haven’t put it all together consistently yet and bring some ‘what-if’ into 2025.”
They said of Brown, “Coming off a phenomenal 2023 season, Brown would’ve been much higher on this list a year ago. But the dual-threat playmaker was underwhelming and injured last season. Which version will show up in 2025?”
That is, of course, the question every USF fan wants answered most positively.
A good indication that Brown is ready came when he finally watched the tape of his injury. It took a while before he would do that.
“I didn't watch it initially, but I actually ended up watching it. I want to say early this year, like early, early this year,” he said.
“I just didn't want to see it. Don't want it on my conscience and things like that. I just wanted to move on.”
With that behind him, it was time to bond with newcomers on the team, especially with the receiving corps.
“The wide receiver group is talented, got many different weapons. They can beat you in every single spot, catch the ball very well, get open, strong hands, and then most of all, which is a quarterback's best friend, being able to create yards after the catch and make guys miss,” Brown said.
“So that group was really fun to connect with in spring ball.”
We all know about the three-game stretch USF faces to open the season – Boise State at home, followed by road trips to Florida and Miami. However, although it might be a gauntlet, it’s also an opportunity.
That’s true for the Bulls, and it’s especially true for Brown. The Boise State game is on national TV, a tremendous opportunity for Brown and the Bulls to make a dramatic statement.
Bulls coach Alex Golesh frequently speaks about the “standard” he wants his team and his quarterback to reach. Brown said he is in lockstep with that approach.
“The expectations for me were very high from the start. He (Golesh) never changed, never wavered. So I'm just continuing to try to achieve his expectations, but also the ones that I've set for myself,” Brown said.
“And I know that all the hard work that I've put in and will continue to put in will pay off.”