NFF National Scholar-Athletes
AUBURN UNIVERSITY — QB
3.81 GPA — Health Science/Public Health
Head Coach: Alex Golesh | Athletics Director: John Cohen
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Duane Brandon
Coach Eddie Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award
Endowed by the George M. Steinbrenner Family and
the New York Yankees Foundation
A record-setting dual-threat quarterback, Byrum Brown has excelled on the field, in the classroom and as a leader in the community, establishing himself as one of college football's most accomplished scholar-athletes. The Raleigh, North Carolina, native becomes Auburn's sixth NFF National Scholar-Athlete and first since 2022.
Brown graduated magna cum laude from South Florida in December 2025 with a degree in health science and public health and a 3.81 GPA. Currently pursuing a master's degree in adult education, he earned CSC Academic All-District recognition in 2025 and was named a Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete. He was also a five-time member of the South Florida Athletics Honor Roll.
A three-year letterman and two-year captain at South Florida, Brown earned Second Team All-American Athletic Conference honors and was named the 2025 CSC Co-National Comeback Player of the Year after missing most of the 2024 season with an injury. He led the nation in total offense in 2025, averaging 347.2 yards per game while passing for 3,158 yards and 28 touchdowns and rushing for 1,008 yards and 14 scores.
His career totals include 8,895 passing yards, 69 touchdown passes, 2,724 rushing yards and 36 rushing touchdowns, including eight passing and five rushing touchdowns this season. He set or tied 28 South Florida records, including single-season marks for passing yards and touchdown passes. He ranks sixth in the SEC for total offense, averaging 277.3 yards per game, and his 459 rushing yards this season rank eighth in the conference.
Brown helped South Florida reach three bowl games, winning the 2023 Boca Raton Bowl and 2024 Hawaii Bowl. Named Offensive MVP of the 2023 Boca Raton Bowl, he guided the Bulls to nine victories in 2025, including upsets of nationally ranked Boise State and Florida. Following head coach Alex Golesh to Auburn in 2026, Brown helped the Tigers upset No. 1 Georgia, 27-24, on Oct. 17, rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown while throwing for 150 yards and another score.
Beyond football, Brown has participated in Victory Day events at South Florida and Auburn, helping individuals with disabilities experience football activities. He has visited local hospitals through Auburn's Tigers Give Back Day and spent time with elementary school students and after-school programs in the Auburn community.
(All stats through Oct. 17, 2026 games.)
