How Alex Golesh and Auburn's staff won over transfer QB Tristan Ti’a

Yahoo Sports4h ago17 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

Auburn's transfer quarterback Tristan Ti'a impressed during the A-Day game, leading a touchdown drive and finishing with 179 passing yards. His performance showcased the depth of Auburn's revamped quarterback room.

Key points

Tristan Ti'a led Auburn's second team offense during the A-Day game.
He completed 15 of 20 passes for 179 yards with one touchdown.
Ti'a also scored a rushing touchdown during the game.
Auburn's quarterback room includes three transfers and a freshman.

Auburn TigersTristan Ti'aByrum BrownOregon State

How Alex Golesh and Auburn's staff won over transfer QB Tristan Ti’a

Auburn fans were excited to watch USF transfer quarterback Byrum Brown for the first time in the orange and blue during last Saturday's A-Day game. However, it was Auburn's backup quarterback who stole the show.

Auburn's rebuilt quarterback room featured three transfers and a freshman signee, with Brown leading the way. However, Auburn fans can find peace knowing that its expected backup has what it takes to lead the team down the field.

Oregon State transfer Tristan Ti'a proved that point early in Saturday's A-Day game by leading the Tigers' second team offense on a seven-play, 83-yard drive that ended with a 28-yard touchdown pass to redshirt freshman wide receiver Duke Smith. During the drive, he completed four passes, with three resulting in gains of over 14 yards. He ended the day going 15-for-20 passing for 179 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also added a touchdown on the ground.

"It was good to see Tristan operate," Auburn head coach Alex Golesh said postgame. "He's had his ups and downs. He's a baby. Like he's a freshman. He played five games in the fall (at Oregon State). There's so many traits there. He's highly, highly intelligent. He's got a pretty ball. He's really accurate. You saw him run around a little bit today. That was good to see."

Ti'a's performance may have come as a surprise to several, but not to him, as he proved that placing his trust in the Auburn coaching staff during his time in the transfer portal has brought out the best version of himself.

"When I was in the portal, (Auburn was) pretty heavy after me. They made it clear that they really wanted me and that gave me a good feeling of comfort, and just on the visit here, they showed me everything that I needed, everything that I would want."

Ti'a continued by saying that Auburn's coaching staff is living up to its recruiting pitch. Every word, every action has been true, which brings Ti'a comfort in knowing that he is in the right place.

Q&A

What were Tristan Ti'a's stats during the A-Day game?

Tristan Ti'a completed 15 of 20 passes for 179 yards, threw one touchdown and one interception, and added a rushing touchdown.

How did Auburn's coaching staff win over Tristan Ti'a?

Auburn's coaching staff, led by Alex Golesh, successfully convinced Tristan Ti'a to transfer by showcasing their vision for the team's offense and his potential role.

Who is Auburn's starting quarterback for the upcoming season?

While Byrum Brown is expected to lead as the starting quarterback, Tristan Ti'a's strong performance positions him as a viable backup option.

What impact did the transfer quarterbacks have on Auburn's A-Day game?

The transfer quarterbacks, including Tristan Ti'a, significantly contributed to the team's performance, demonstrating depth and competitiveness in the quarterback position.