TAMPA, Fla. — Auburn’s new quarterback, Byrum Brown, joined some familiar favorites alongside Alex McPherson and Champ Anthony at SEC Media Days to talk about new head coach Alex Golesh and the upcoming season.
After his initial press conference Tuesday morning, Golesh returned to the media furthering the talk around the new team’s goals and identity. Despite fans’ expectations for a certain number of wins or event a bowl appearance, he decided to go in a different direction.
Golesh said, “First piece of this identity that we've hammered home is the ability to be physically and mentally tough. That's what Auburn football was built on: physical and mental toughness, the ability to be the most violent football team on the field every Saturday.”
Now, every coach can say this, especially during what is often called “talking season,” about wanting to be the most physical team every Saturday and expecting to play that way every down. However, for a coach like Golesh, so well known for spacing the field, and a track record to prove it, it’s reassuring for Auburn fans to talk about the physical brand of football the game has lost in recent years.
In order to be that kind of team every Saturday, Coach Golesh will have to rely on his leaders like Brown, kicker McPherson, and cornerback Anthony. Golesh took time to talk about each of these players and why they were chosen as representatives at SEC Media Days.
For Brown, he said, “a young man that I've known since he was an 18-year-old redshirt freshman that has grown through these four years into one of the best football players I've ever been around … Byrum Brown represents everything that's right about the identity that we're building.”
Continuing with Anthony, Golesh called him “everything you want an Auburn man to be, overcoming adversity, and I just absolutely can’t wait for him to have the year he deserves to have.” He recalled having to pull Anthony off the field this past spring because that’s the type of leader he is and Golesh will keep looking for him to play a big role, even after his two leg injuries.
Finally, Golesh was able to talk about the only specialist at these SEC Media Days, McPherson. Of course, McPherson has struggled with some off-the-field health issues the last couple of years and is fighting to play more consistently this year.
Coach Golesh talked about McPherson’s fight and his desire to be out on the field with his teammates. “This is a kicker that we need to make field goals; refuses to do so anything other than what everybody else is doing. You talk about our identity: Physically and mentally tough. Leader.”
Now, the players were able to talk about how the past half-year has been with the new coach, including new experiences on the Plains.
For Brown, the only representative with experience as a multi-year starter with Golesh, also comes with experience against SEC teams the last couple of years. The fifth-year senior played against Alabama in 2023, but was also a part of a memorable 18-16 upset at University of Florida last year. The quarterback was asked about playing Florida again in the first SEC game for Auburn this year.
“Start with the first game and you know have that be the foundation, set the tone there and then proceed for the rest of the season,” Brown said.
The newcomer also complimented and remarked on his smooth transition to Auburn with the same head coach and some fellow USF transfers.
Brown added, “I’ve enjoyed just hanging with the guys inside Auburn. We go to each other’s houses, apartments and grab food … but just grabbing food, bonding with the guys and just chopping it up.”
Now moving on to the more familiar Tigers, McPherson and Anthony were both excited to get back onto the field with their teammates.
McPherson said, “It's been really fun, really exciting. Just to be back to normal and where I was. Just to have that strength back to kind of kick like I want to and like I used to.”
After being sidelined on-and-off the past two years, McPherson explained he is feeling back to normal and is “kicking as good as I have before I got sick.” For an Auburn team that had problems with consistent field-goal kicking last year, a healthier McPherson is a great addition.
Finally, for Anthony, the Auburn captain who has dealt with back-to-back season ending leg injuries, wants more than anything to get out on the field and play.
When asked about his personal goals and what he wants to accomplish this season, Anthony said, “Of course, I've had two seasons where I haven't finished the whole season. So that's my biggest goal. I want to finish the whole season healthy, play good, and just allow myself to be the best version of myself for the team.”
Auburn fans and Coach Golesh expect these players to lead the team this season and become some of its biggest contributors this season.
