Byrum Brown — the electrifying star quarterback who powered the University of South Florida to a 9–3 season and a berth in the Cure Bowl against Old Dominion — will not play in the bowl game, a decision made after ongoing discussions with new USF head coach Brian Hartline and USF Athletics CEO Rob Higgins. Brown, who delivered a rare statistical feat with over 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards, cemented himself as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country this season.

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According to Higgins, the decision was mutual and rooted in transparency during the coaching transition.
“We mutually determined with Byrum that it’s best for him to not play in next week’s Cure Bowl,” Higgins said.
He added that conversations with Brown and his family about his future at USF are ongoing:
“Coach Hartline and I continue to have great conversations with Byrum Brown and his family about his future at USF.”

Why Byrum Brown Might Stay at USF Under Brian Hartline

Staying at USF remains a strong option for Brown. Hartline, known nationally for his offensive acumen and quarterback development, could offer Brown a fresh system tailored to his dual‑threat skill set. With USF on the cusp of its first 10‑win season since 2017 and a new coaching staff eager to build around him, Brown could elevate both his draft stock and the program’s national profile.

Higgins emphasized Brown’s continued commitment to the team despite opting out:
“Byrum continues to attend every team activity and practice and has been incredible in supporting his teammates as he always is.”

Option Two: Follow Alex Golesh to Auburn

Another path is reuniting with Alex Golesh, the coach who developed Brown over the past three seasons and helped unlock his elite production. Golesh’s move to Auburn has sparked speculation that Brown could follow him to the SEC — a conference that provides maximum exposure and NFL‑level competition.

Reports confirm that transfer rumors are swirling, and Auburn is a natural landing spot given the established relationship between Brown and Golesh.

Option Three: Declare for the NFL Draft

With his rare production and dual‑threat profile, Brown could also choose to enter the NFL Draft. Scouts have already taken notice of his explosive playmaking ability, and his 2025 season placed him among the most productive quarterbacks in the nation.

However, another year under Hartline — or in the SEC — could significantly boost his draft positioning. Brown must weigh immediate opportunity versus long‑term development.

USF Moves Forward as Brown Helps Coach His Replacement

While USF awaits Brown’s decision, he remains fully engaged with the program. Higgins revealed that Brown will serve as a sideline assistant coach during the Cure Bowl, helping prepare senior quarterback Gaston Moore, who will start in Brown’s place.

Moore’s journey is notable: he began his career at UCF in 2020 under Josh Heupel, spent four seasons at Tennessee, and transferred to USF this past offseason. Now a senior, he gets his final collegiate start with Brown helping guide him.

With defensive line coach Kevin Patrick serving as interim head coach, Brown has been actively involved in practices and game prep, demonstrating leadership even as he evaluates his next MOVE.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter another high‑stakes matchup this week, but the franchise also steps into the spotlight for a different reason. Amazon Prime Video debuts Raise The Flags, a sweeping 10‑part docuseries that captures the team’s 50‑year evolution from the infamous 0–26 “Yuccaneers” to two‑time Super Bowl champions.

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The Bucs currently sit tied for first place in the NFC South and plan to take the field in their iconic creamsicle uniforms—an intentional nod to the franchise’s earliest days. The timing aligns perfectly with the release of the series, which celebrates the team’s past while examining the decisions that shaped its future.

A Franchise Marked by Bold Moves and Painful Lessons

Before Tom Brady transformed the region into “Tompa Bay,” the Buccaneers navigated decades of turbulence. The team traded away future Hall of Famer Steve Young, watched Doug Williams walk, and lost out on Bo Jackson and Bill Parcells—twice. These pivotal missteps and near‑misses appear throughout the series, offering fans a candid look at how the franchise learned, adapted, and rebuilt.

The docuseries doesn’t shy away from the lows. Instead, it embraces them, pairing them with the triumphs that eventually led to championship seasons and a new era of stability.

Inside the Making of “Raise The Flags”

Buccaneers co‑owner Ed Glazer commissioned and produced the project, while eight‑time Emmy Award winner Trent Cooper directed it. Cooper, a lifelong Bucs fan, approached the series with a commitment to honesty and depth, mirroring the tone of NFL Films while expanding access far beyond traditional team documentaries.

Glazer emphasized transparency in his interviews, acknowledging both the organization’s successes and its missteps. He reflected on early ownership decisions, admitting that the family learned through trial and error and sometimes let Hall of Fame‑caliber players walk away—choices he says they would never repeat today.

A Deep Dive for Diehard Fans

The series features appearances and insights from franchise legends including Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden, Mike Alstott, and Tom Brady. It also explores the behind‑the‑scenes maneuvering that led to major turning points, such as the blockbuster trade for Jon Gruden that cost the team two first‑round picks, two second‑round picks, and $8 million.

Local media outlets and Buccaneers public relations teams have promoted the series heavily, positioning it as the most comprehensive visual history the franchise has ever released.

A Celebration of Perseverance and Identity

Raise The Flags arrives as both a celebration and a reckoning. It honors the players, coaches, and fans who endured decades of heartbreak and ultimately witnessed one of the most dramatic turnarounds in NFL history. It also challenges viewers to reconsider the franchise’s identity—not as the “Yuccaneers,” but as a resilient organization built on bold decisions, passionate leadership, and unwavering community support.

As the Buccaneers take the field in creamsicle orange, the series reminds fans why those colors matter. They represent where the team started, how far it has come, and the stories that shaped every step of the journey.

Let ’em Run “Rear View Mirror” and look ahead to next week’s races

Let ’em Run took a look at The Cigar Mile and The Remsen, which were run at Aqueduct for the last time. At the conclusion of this meet, “The Big A’ will be no longer, as it will be taken down. Our colleague, John Kostin was there for the races.

These are the insights and breakdown of the races that were worth using the “Rear View Mirror.”

Aqueduct

Race 7 Alw 88K

On our Podcast and in the article on Florida Sports Talk, the #6 Life and Times was touted as a “can’t miss” lock, and many had the same feeling. This runner out of Justify, will be one to keep an eye on moving forward. We laid out a chalky P5 that got us to the last leg ready for a payoff…but more on that in Race 11.

Race 8 The NY Stallion Series

Viewers of the Podcast heard John break the race down perfectly. He laid out the top three finishers, and particularly the winner #8 Braverthanyoubelieve, as well as the #10 Hot Currency and #12 Daniella Maria.

Race 9 The Remsen

The top 2 finishers were touted by most pundits, as they met up here again, and produced the top two finishers again in this Derby Prep. Even more solid, was the fact that after the race, it was learned the winner #2 Paladin lost a shoe during the race, had plenty of kickback in his face, but persisted for the win: impressive for a young horse. I had the #11 Talkin, who got in a nice spot early, but looked very green when asked to move.

Race 10 The Cigar Mile

The favorite #7 Bishops Bay lived up to the favorite role, and wore down early frontrunner #2 Mika to just get 1st place. John indicated in the Podcast that he was worried that #2 Mika would cause some trouble up front, and that’s exactly what happened. The #6 Philleas Fog was on a lot of handicappers’ radar for his impressive victory in his initial race, but the #2 Mika was a little faster early on and wore that runner out, to set it up for #7 Bishops Bay.

Race 11 The NY Stallion Series

Local Parx runner, for trainer Butch Reid #2 Parker Boone was expected to wire the field, but was outdone by #9 Sunday Boy, who John did mention as a horse to use in your vertical wagers, and did hit the finish line first. The #13 Combat Mission, locked in second place, and was not on our radar.

Looking Ahead

This weekend, another Derby Prep race is on the tab, The Los Alamitos Futurity, on the line for 10 Derby points to the winner. John and I will also dive into two big races at Gulfstream Park’s Championship meet. Race 8, The Tropical Park Oaks for fillies, and Race 11, The Tropical Park Derby. Both races will be run on the turf, with full fields expected.

We will also continue to look at the last five races at Aqueduct. So tune in to our Happy Hour Podcast on Friday at 12:30 when we break down the two races from Gulfstream Park, and The Los Alamitos Futurity. Then return on Saturday, where John and I will be doing a live Podcast from Monmouth Park, where we are in a NHC Handicapping Contest, with cash prizes and two NHC seats awarded. So tune in, and catch us this weekend on multiple streaming apps and social channels.

And stay tuned, where “Fast horses, meet serious fun…at Let ’em Run”