CRUCIAL: Auburn NEEDS Byrum Brown to be GREAT Now More Than Ever

0:00Man Auburn fans need Byron Brown to be that guy You are locked on Auburn your daily podcast on the Auburn Tigers part of the lock-down podcast network your team Every day. Yes, welcome on in to locked on Auburn your daily Auburn Tigers podcast. I'm your host act blacker B Thank you so much for making locked on Auburn your first listen every single day Lindsey Crosby of the bar and Auburn dot com as well as other places hanging out with us today Auburn baseball starts this week will pick Lindsey's brain on that we got a tied-in question about the offense We got a running back question about the offense But man, I just thought this was somewhat timely of a discussion to have about Byron Brown because like with questions Circulating around like okay, it was the upside for this Auburn basketball season

1:03That's been something this kind of held this fan base Above water during this rough Several years what last five years of the Auburn football program really really struggling and I think Auburn basketball still Tournament team and all of that but I do think the ceiling is lower than it has been in recent memory and I just think I Think they need a win on the football field Lindsey and I think Byron Brown is the closest thing that we've had to an all-star Stud quarter back face of the program that we've had in a long time and there's gonna be a lot of hope Placed on him there's gonna be a lot of pressure placed on him and I think even the way Alex Golisch is kind of handling Press this off season which I'm all for He's not backing down off of any of it and I think that's a big deal Yeah, I mean it feels like it's been forever since you could look at the Auburn offense and even say it really felt like they knew what they were doing

2:08Never being a really good unit And I think Justin Ferguson did a great job of kind of breaking down when you look at Not just what they did from the wrong numbers But when you dig into how efficient they were how explosive they were Even when you adjust for competition They were like a top five offense in the country and you've brought a big portion of that offense to Auburn and the majority of that runs through Brown and so Like if if it can translate 90% to the SEC we know the offense works. We've seen it working to see If Byron Brown and these personnel can translate this to the SEC This is the first time Auburn's gonna have an above average offense. It feels like Going back to the days of Gus Mouson who just retired and god bless him Sure It's but we really need a win. I did a baseball preview thing last week with somebody and they asked me is

3:09Is baseball the best program on campus? Because football has been so bad recently. Yes, baseball is not and basketball is not good right now Because it's a transition year And so they said is baseball the best program on campus is broot is butch Thompson the best coach on campus and I think he is But like Auburn football should always be in that conversation and they're just not right now. We need this Correct and you know, I don't necessarily agree with all the chatter about you know The the Cam Newton comparisons or or whatever but I do think what they're saying when people do compare Byron Brown to Cam Newton if they truly think oh Byron Brown It's going to be like a generational athlete or whatever like great. I hope they're right But what I think they're really saying in a non exaggerated way is we think Byron Brown Is a massive and athletic quarterback and he plays at Auburn and he's going to be good and successful Like I think that's what they're saying Yeah, instead of comparing to the Cam Newton. It just sounds flashier to do all that

4:13And I think those things quarter-deck at Auburn. Sorry that does a power type of running is going to be compared to Cam Newton That's just the way it is. Joey Yeah, there are people in the comments section the second half of the Arkansas game of my post game show saying yeah I don't want to overreact but see in Ashton Daniels out there really reminded me of Cam Newton I'm like stop. We're not doing yes. We're not doing this But if you want to say what you liked what you saw and what you saw think you can lead to success I'm all for that and if you just want to say the same thing about Byron Brown is like he I like the traits That he possesses and I think they can be used in a way and this coaching staff To to turn questionable close games into wins Yeah, I think that's awesome. I don't think that's calling him Cam Newton But I do think that that's something that Byron Brown can do he can run with his legs He can pass just fine with his arm. I do think it's a better runner But regardless He has shown that he has those intangibles and so now like you said you know adjusting for competition

5:18What can this look like? Something that Alex goalie should said over and over and over again because he's been asked and it's a relevant question And he'll talk goodness. He'll talk. I didn't really see that coming but He always seems so relieved when he discusses The familiarity with his guys whether it's you know his quarterback whether it's his center coming with him whether It's his running back coming with the whether it's these receivers coming with him the office of coordinator There's so much familiarity where like the irony is there's there might be more to adjust to if you were retained Or on Auburn's roster last year and you chose to come back. So a unique situation But these are all things that will benefit Byron Brown and we don't need to dance around that Yeah, it's to me when you have an offense that either Goes as fast as humanly possible, which this one does or Is similar to a lot of the Hugh Freeze offenses in the past where the receivers or the past catchers are making decisions

6:22During the play and the quarterback has to know those decisions The more familiarity you have the better. We know offensive lines always a continuity familiarity conversation and you have your starting center from last year at usf But in those two scenarios right the super speed or the decision making in the play Knowing what the guys are going to do and understanding the way that they comprehend and understand the offense Is a big deal and that's why I'm hopeful that in year one They're going to look pretty decent in year one. I honestly I think my bigger question like yes How they translate to the SEC matters and I am curious about that from an individual athletic standpoint sure My bigger question is in year two What does this offense look like when Byron Brown's no longer here and you've lost some of these veteran Pieces who have done this for multiple seasons under go-lash That's honestly as big of a question for me as how they translate to the SEC in year one

7:25Yeah, yeah, and we'll obviously cross that bridge When we get there because there are quarterback questions, you know following Byron Brown And we'll see what happens with Tristan Tia or you know lockling Hewlett, but I think Auburn's next quarterbacks probably not on the roster and so that'll be an interesting discussion to have I guess in December when that when that door opens, but yeah I'm with you on that. I'm not going to push back on that a ton especially right now So but all and all to say like Byron Brown has the chance to re-ignite this fan base and I think Alex Goulish knows that I think that's I think him bringing Byron with him and making sure he is well compensated and you know Adjusted to being an SEC starter It's a big part of the confidence that Goulish has because he I mean he's already We've all seen the you know the FE you know the the iron

8:26Video of like what it actually means and all that I'm not I'm not gonna repeat it here But it'd be very easy to find if you hadn't seen it um He probably still has that mindset even if Byron Brown's not here, but it has to help It has to help with the confidence of it Yeah knowing like It feels like there's a certain floor that you can count on this season and that's never been the case Last couple of years last couple coaching staffs with Auburn. It feels like there's a floor of You've got x number of guys who have been in this offense for multiple years They know what like you're not gonna have Jeremiah Cogor gonna play call wrong In the huddle because he did this at usf right cold best is gonna understand what protection He should call because he's called this protection happen, you know 50 times in this specific scenario and I do think that familiarity helps I do think that is the best case scenario for you for year one is it's a transition year

9:30But it's it should be a high floor kind of soft landing back into the SEC for Alex Goulish because He has all these pieces that can not only teach the offense But can teach the culture and help build the program the way he wants to build it We haven't really gotten into the culture stuff other than the fe comment Um, and I do love Goulish's language that he uses in a lot of these things whether it's how they want to run the ball Whether it's the fe thing But the soft landing is gonna definitely help and I think that's gonna be something that Auburn fans just need because we've seen Auburn fans support this team even when they're bad That's right. It doesn't feel like Because of all this familiarity Auburn has that big of a chance of being bad next year barring catastrophic injury. Yeah Yeah There are plenty of questions though about this offense. I've got one About the running back room. You've got one about the tight end room. That's next right here. Unlocked on Auburn Today show brought to you by our friends at fandall fandall is america's number one sports book

10:34Okay, the winter games are officially here and if you're anything like us You're locking in for events you only get to see on the biggest stage Every four years and that's why following the winter games on fandall just makes sense from metal counts the individual events defining your angle On all the sports you care about most fandall gives you more ways to stay connected to the action and of course With baseball starting this week you can bet on the Auburn Tigers. They are plus 1800 To win the college world series. So The winter games are on and there's no better way to follow with them with fandall fandall play your game Did they show also brought to you by our friends at alumni hall? Lindsey, can you imagine buying Auburn gear anywhere other than with our friends at alumni hall? I would never do that. I just the idea of that is unfathomable The hat wall when you walk into the tiger town location the hat wall in the back wall As a hat guy

11:35It's I mean, it's it's a it's a site to behold it may be one of the wonders of the world like there's the seven wonders of the world I've heard some people say there's an eighth. I think the hat wall is the ninth. Yeah I think there's at least and there's at least question there of like all right Is it to that point now they've got stuff for for everything and look at so seasons are changing If you want to make sure you have the right gear for the sports that you're attending Head over to alumni hall in tiger town or Office South college read or check them out at alumni hall dot com Thank you so much for making locked up on your first list and every Single day. You know, we heard goalish talk last week and there's a lot of good stuff and people have ran with different things A different directions because I mean the guy can talk and he'll give you info and it's it's great Love that from a coach. Yeah, when when they discuss Running back. I mean, he talks about Jeremiah Cobb is almost like Yeah, he's a starter. There's no question about it

12:37Which is great and obviously you brought in some guys that would make sense if you didn't have Jeremiah Cobb For them to be starters, right? I think if Bryson Washington was a starter like you can see the path there If you didn't have a Jeremiah Cobb same with the kind of Davenport just because you saw what he was able to do At usf and then I mean, I'm extremely high on Omar maps and I know a lot of people are But I guess my question for the running back room is what does rb1 look like In this system So last year at usf Byron Brown led the way with 175 carries sure no issue with that at all The guy Davenport with 98 he was second But like you have this cluster of running backs Where there's some separation in its tiered, but it's not crazy Where you had Davenport with 98 carries running back Sam Franklin had 80 Alvin Isaac had 73 and then you have a pretty big drop off to cartavius norton head 32

13:38And so I just wonder like if you have Byron Brown, I think I'll have over 100 carries. I don't know if I'll have 175 That just seems like a lot in the conference, but we'll see you we'll see But if you have okay Cobb 98 and then Washington 80 And then I mean whoever you think it's going to be rb3 for for the sake of conversation. We'll say Davenport At 73 and then there's a drop off and you either put tae meadows to transfer from Troy or Omar maps and You know at 32 Okay, that's fine That's pretty balanced though It's a pretty balanced thing Lindsay and then when you look at 2025 just for the sake of Or excuse me when you look at 2024 just for the sake of conversation um Little bit different because Byron got hurt, but you had Kelly joiner with 129 and then naked on a right With 109 and their third running back that year was to Ron Keith was 78 so

14:41Still like you had one a And then a 1b and then you almost had a 1c, but you know, I guess a two-way in the situation. We're like the drop-offs not Crazy So I do think the way they use running backs is going to be different than we have seen at Auburn In a hot minute gust didn't use in this way harsh and didn't use in this way freeze didn't use them hardly at all So like it's just kind of interesting And I think when you look at it with that context then bringing in multiple starting caliber running backs makes more sense I do think it's important to point out Courtevius Norton had his 32 carries in the first five games and then had a season Indian injury and Davenport kind of took over after that That's important point that out Yeah, it does feel like Golech wants a pretty balanced rotation, but he's not afraid to ride a hot hand And I think that's something you've seen from some previous Auburn coaches like Sam Franklin six carries a game at USF

15:42But he had four games with double digit carries because he was effective. He was hot and they wrote him Alvin Isaac had one game of double digit carries because he was hot and they wrote him So I do think that's an important understanding is like hey, we've got maybe two guys that we really want to go with And it does feel like Golech wants one of those two guys to be a good pass protector Davenport graded out above average at that In pf again not possible But we know Jeremiah Cobb's not the best at pass protection So it kind of feels and golech has said he's talked about Pass protection is a huge part of playing running back So I feel like that's probably part of the one a one b And then after that it's who's been hot and practice this week. Who do we think is a good match up versus the opposing squad And if a guy gets hot in the game We're gonna just be willing to ride them a little more

16:45But if you go with pace like they have fit and they they want to do It feels like you almost need to have Three running backs that you're comfortable running in the game if you look at what they've done In golech's history, right? I had the numbers here. I found it um They they Put up a ton of carries Every single year like they they're absolutely was it 39 tie 39 carries a game at USF last year The season before that with the Bayern Brown injury was like 44 And when he was at Tennessee it was 40 carries per game So two guys you can kind of count on as one a one b Yeah, and then you rotate other guys through in situations or be a match-ups It makes sense my question is you've brought so many really talented running backs in Cobb and like Jeremiah Cobb feels like a lock to be number one We heard that from golech last week the way he talked about him sure rice and Washington versus the kite Davenport

17:46So really interesting number two conversation and then after them There's a ton of options you could go to it running back and I just don't really know What they're gonna end up doing? Yeah, I mean my gut is Cobb won a Washington 1b And then I think it's Davenport Then Mabson and Tay Meadows, but I've talked to some people that are really high on Tay Meadows So I'm not I'm not entirely sure Davenport having the experience in the offense makes me wonder is that second job legitimately gonna be a battle in fall camp It could be I also think it's worth noting that I think this was when he was talking to media members in Mobile But he kind of stops somebody and highlighted how young Davenport was too And so is that him? Yeah, that's just him giving context or is this a situation where

18:48It's like yeah, he's he's more of a plan for the future. I'm not sure I do have to ask does receiving prowess you think matter into this? Because what do we know about this veer and shoot it is pace it is vertical passing like does the the Passing or the receiving acumen of the running back doesn't matter in this I don't think it matter it always matters some so Alvin Isaac Yeah, in 2025 Alvin Isaac had 12 catches for them and he was the lab report had five San Franklin had five Yeah, so like I feel like it's it's it might be one of those things kind of like That's blocking like it might be a it might settle A tie it might break a tie Yeah, but like does that matter as much as Understanding the offense and the breakaway speed that they kind of want. I don't know if it does But I am kind of curious

19:48How he makes these decisions. I mean Isaac you know 13 catches want to point out 14 targets 13 catches The kid caught everything win his way 112 yards But you know, and he lined up in the slot a little bit too like he was he was doing And that's worth judging with Cobb like could could could you do some stuff formationally with Cobb to running backs on the field and then Yeah, if you needed to so yeah, we'll see I mean they got the guys in They give you a chance the running back room makes sense now you just it a They get to mix and match from a scheme standpoint a fit standpoint like I love it I love the running back room that they assembled there So the tied-in room is interesting as well. Lindsay has a question about the tied-in room. We'll also Preview this weekend series. That's next right here unlocked on Auburn Today show brought to you by our friends at Wayfair The new year is here and it's the perfect time to reset your routine and refresh your space

20:50Can you imagine Saying hey, I want to refresh my space and not checking out our friends at Wayfair.com Zach I refreshed my space just a week or two ago. I bought a couch for this office and I bought it from Wayfair And I got to tell you assembly was super easy. There's no like cheap flimsy wood. It is metal It is incredibly sturdy incredibly comfortable. Yes got it from Wayfair shipping was faster than I expected It was more affordable than I thought and honestly I like it a lot better than going to one of the box stores and buying a piece of furniture from there. It's fantastic stuff Yeah, yeah, just have it show up right at your door I love Wayfair is where we get a ton almost all of our furniture is from Wayfair So get organized refreshed and back on track this new year for Wayless head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home That is w.a.y.f-a-i-r.com Wayfair every style every home Today show also brought to you by our friends and indeed. Can you imagine? Well, let me ask you this

21:52When you hire someone Lindsay do you just want to fill the space or do you want somebody who is the perfect fit for the job? I hired somebody over it braves today just recently to help me out with fill in and braves coverage for 2026 And I had a long list of people like I'm sorry of traits that I wanted that person to have Yes, what indeed made it really easy to go through and make sure the applicants checked every single box that I had on my sheet Well, like when you're trying to hire someone like okay We we get we agree that you want certain list of traits But do you want it to take a long time or would you like indeed to kind of say hey Here your ideal candidates. You know, there's no reason for you to spend hours and hours and hours shifting through all these resumes Listen, I'm a busy. I have a full-time job and I do Coverage like I wanted this to be quick and easy and I reached out to indeed and they gave me a list of applicants that matched the criteria I had they did the legwork for me Zach incredible incredible Lister's of this show will get a $75 sponsor job credit to help you get the job the premium status it deserves at

22:57Indie.com slash podcast that is indeed.com slash podcast terms and conditions apply hiring You're the right way but indeed All right final few minutes on today's edition of locked on Auburn Lindy the tied-in position is is super interesting It's obviously a big part of what Alex Goulish and his offense tends to do. It's a big piece of it And there are questions about this room Yeah, and I think my big thing is we know when you're running with temple You're gonna have virtual guys who can do everything If you look at their room last year They had a guy on the field for just about every single play 939 snaps Sure for the tied-in room 946 offensive plays Um does Auburn have The two guys that you would need That can do everything because I feel like you got a lot of Tied-ins out of the portal a lot of different kind of skill sets

24:02Do they have the guys that can line up as an H back and being in line tied in and be a wide receiver split out wide I know you got Jonathan Eccles. He did some of that Do you have the two guys you can count on to be good enough at doing everything Then a let's go let's run his full offense because he uses them at time He does and once again, we've talked about this before that doesn't mean you're throwing to them a ton It means you're using them formationally a ton to not have to Sub so Jake Johnson the transfer from North Carolina obviously could be a piece of that Hunter herring I think is the most interesting player in this room just because he's a former quarterback from ULM Arles boarding him. I think is a depth piece slash high upside I'm not expecting him to be The first or the second guy. I think it's going to be Jake Johnson And then Jonathan Eccles who is another usf guy I mean we talked earlier about how the familiarity with the system is a big deal I also think Ryan G has a chance to compete for stamps as well

25:03And then I think Xavier knew some of the transfer from Howard Is a depth piece for the future same with the true freshman DJ Broughton even though I am very excited about the future Of his game as well But I mean to answer your question simply like do they have those guys yeah I think they do I think they have it with Jake Johnson and then with Jonathan Eccles I mean we talked about a one a one b With the running back room. I think we might see a similar thing with a tied-in and there's always there's always this tendency of Okay, are you a blocking tied-in or a receiving tied-in we saw that a ton With you freeze and they use a bunch of tied-ins as well but I think with goalish you're going to see guys that have to do both and they're going to have to do both well Or they're not going to stay on the field I also think from us just a stamina and rep standpoint like you might see guys Like okay, this is the Jake Johnson drive Okay, this is the Jonathan Eccles drive because then they don't want to have to sub so

26:04Chris is the right one that's like from the stand point What's that they did have They did have four different tied-ins get at least five snaps a game last season So I do feel like you're going to have to rotate plenty and I think your point on having this guy on this drive We go to the next guy and we share time early in the game and maybe whoever's most effective Gets more of that time down the stretch, right? But I do just it's it's that's always the big concern because tight end is such a difficult position Because you're doing offensive line stuff. You're doing why receiver stuff There's a lot that goes into it So I'm I'm glad to hear that we think it's these guys we have a versatile enough for this Yeah, and I like how young the room is too like you're gonna lose Jake Johnson a hunter hearing after this year But boarding them junior can come back and then Eccles knew some in G Or all sophomores than DJ brought an obviously a freshman. So I like how young the room is too So I think they did a good job of building That unit unless pivot quickly I'm just going to ask you an open-ended question if you could spend 90 seconds on it Lindtie

27:07What are you watching for Auburn's opening series for baseball this season starts Friday They post youngstown state, which is not a state Know what specifically are you watching for watching Auburn fans be watching for the number one thing I'm looking for is what the starting pictures Not how deep they go because we know butchers that push them very hard in the first weekend But maybe necessarily How comfortable and efficient they are we know that butch is prioritized throwing strikes He wants you to be in the zone and wants your stuff to compete in the zone I want to see How good these guys are at getting hitters out In the strike zone because we know butch wants that I'm going to watch in that and then I'm watching to see from a position player standpoint I feel like you're going to get Chris Rembert leading off even though he might be a little bit Better as an RBI producer batting second or third Okay, but I want to see how well the team does At getting the lead off hitter on and every inning

28:10And pushing the pitch count on those starters Like on those opposing starters because like youngstown state they won 15 games last year You should be fine. I misspoke on that last week But out but after that Cincinnati Kansas State Florida State Louisville really good teams right away Yeah, and Auburn's Offense needs to be able to Push the opposing starters get into that bullpen early So that the pitching staff has the runway to figure out who's going to pitch where and who is most Efficient so that's what I'm watching for this weekend Speaking of we'll have more about that this week On the bar and baseball show where I'm interviewing butch Thompson Me and you you had a great job by the way with gay gross Yes questions in there. Yes, really enjoyed that Yes, I said that's a Lindsay last week. It'll be up for everyone this afternoon. So Be sure to check that out and then Lindsay and I will go

29:10Are you with me this week? Yes afterwards. So Lindsay will be live with me Right here unlocked on Auburn after the the games this weekend. So just like we do with football and basketball We're gonna we're gonna attempt to go for every single one of them for the baseball season So be sure to hang out with us there too and if you miss it you can watch it after the fact as well Lindsay how can people check out everything you've got going on I'm on social media at crossby baseball the Auburn baseball stuff the bar and Auburn dot calm. They let a brave stuff brave today dot com Please like the video. Please subscribe. We'll see you next time This has been locked on off of Auburn this has been locked on off off all of