Byrum Brown will not be participating as a player in the upcoming Cure Bowl against Old Dominion, but instead will be stepping into a coaching role for this game. Speculation about his future remains as many anticipate whether he might enter the NCAA transfer portal.
ESPN analyst EJ Manuel has expressed strong support for Brown, drawing a comparison to former Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton. During a recent preview of bowl games, Manuel highlighted Brown’s impressive skills, particularly noting his running ability. He stated, “Fantastic quarterback but fellas, when he takes off and runs, this dude reminds me of Cam Newton when he was at Auburn.” With over 1,000 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns this season, Manuel believes that Brown is destined for a future in the NFL, provided he gets the opportunity he deserves.
In his latest season, Brown amassed 3,158 passing yards with 28 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. His dual-threat capability is underscored by his noteworthy running stats, which include 1,008 rushing yards and eight touchdowns—even more impressive considering that college football statistics incorporate sack yardage into those totals.
While it’s unfortunate that fans won’t see Brown play in the Cure Bowl, his transition into coaching for this event presents a unique opportunity for him to gain insights into the game from a different perspective. The University of South Florida will undoubtedly be eager to retain Brown, but other programs may also be keenly interested in securing his talents.
An intriguing possibility is that Auburn could be the next stop for Brown, especially given the connections with their new head coach Alex Golesh, who previously worked with him at USF. The situation for Auburn’s quarterbacks is currently under review, with quarterback Jackson Arnold expected to depart after just one season. Meanwhile, potential candidates like freshman Duece Knight and returning player Ashton Daniels are in the mix for the ongoing quarterback competition at Auburn.
As the scenario unfolds, many will be watching closely not just for Brown’s next move, but also for how his connections and experiences influence the quarterback situation within college football.