Auburn head coach Alex Golesh announced this week that Oregon State transfer Tristan Ti'a will serve as the team’s backup quarterback for the 2026 season, cementing a new layer of depth behind the starter.
A Promising Yet Uneven Development
During fall camp Ti'a showed clear signs of improvement, mastering the playbook and delivering sharp throws in early drills, but his performance faltered slightly when faced with the most complex defensive schemes, revealing the learning curve that still lies ahead.
The coaching staff praised his work ethic and ability to adapt, noting that the moments of struggle have been treated as teaching opportunities rather than setbacks.
Recruiting pedigree and early statistics
Ti'a arrived on campus as a four‑star prospect, ranked No. 21 among quarterbacks in the 2025 class and No. 36 overall in California, bringing a high school pedigree that had drawn national attention.
In his freshman year at Oregon State he completed 37 of 53 passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns across three games, with his most memorable outing coming in a 32‑8 loss to Washington State where he went 28 of 41 for 240 yards and a single touchdown.
A Three‑Way Contest for the Third Spot
The third‑string position is now a battleground between South Florida transfer Locklan Hewlett and true freshman Rhys Brush, both of whom have rotated through the role during camp, pushing each other to demonstrate precision and poise under pressure.
Coaches say the competition will ultimately shape the team’s flexibility, as the depth chart evolves and the most reliable option emerges to support the starter in game situations.