Auburn football RB Bryson Washington 'better than ever' as Baylor reunion nears

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Auburn football RB Bryson Washington 'better than ever' as Baylor reunion nears

Auburn football RB Bryson Washington 'better than ever' as Baylor reunion nears

Adam Cole, Montgomery Advertiser · The Montgomery Advertiser

Tue, Aug 25, 2026 ·

2 min read

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AUBURN — It was easy to hold one's breath when assessing Bryson Washington 's standing with Auburn football at the start of the preseason.

The Baylor transfer went from working near the top of Auburn 's running back rotation to being leapfrogged by sophomore Omar Mabson II . But with the season less than two weeks away, and Washington setting his sights on a rematch with his former team, he said Tuesday, Aug. 25, that he's "feeling better than ever."

"More and more every day," he said. "Feeling closer to 100%."

Since the spring, Washington's place in Auburn's pecking order was a topic of discussion. The spring game ended with head coach Alex Golesh saying that Washington, who hadn't been at full health until the two weeks prior, was still conditioning his body for play speed.

Ahead of SEC Media Days, Golesh said Washington was, "still fighting like crazy to change his body." Flash forward to Auburn's final scrimmage of preseason camp, and it was clear Washington had made progress.

"Bryson, the last week, has shown why he's been able to do what he's done for the last couple of years," Golesh said. "He's taken steps."

Washington admitted Tuesday that when he got to Auburn's campus, he was out of shape, even though he'd spent the past three seasons as part of a tempo offense at Baylor . Washington took more than 400 snaps each of the past two years. He posted 339 carries as a Bear, with 1,861 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.

He certainly delivered results within Baylor's tempo attack, but what Auburn has?

"It's different," Washington said. "The mechanics of everything, how they do it here. I'd say that was the biggest adjustment, for sure."

The games will decide where Washington settles into a stable of capable backs, but as the offseason's close draws near, he's found himself in position to be heavily utilized. He's excited to face his former team, yes, but he's not trying to make it too personal, either.

"I look at it as just another game," he said. "We've just got to go handle that."

Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) and Auburn Tigers linebacker Demarcus Riddick (6) get pumped up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Auburn Tigers players warm up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Auburn Tigers offensive lineman warm up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Auburn Tigers running backs warm up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Tavian Branch (91) warms up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Auburn Tigers tight ends coach Larry Scott during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) warms up during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Auburn Tigers players break huddle during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Auburn Tigers head coach Alex Golesh during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) hands the ball off to running back Jeremiah Cobb (23) during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Auburn Tigers wide receiver DeShawn Spencer (9) catches a pass during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Auburn Tigers wide receiver Brian Williams Jr. (15) catches a pass during Auburn football practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)

Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at acole@gannett.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter . To support Adam's work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser .

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football RB Bryson Washington 'better than ever' as Baylor reunion nears

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Auburn football RB Bryson Washington 'better than ever' as Baylor reunion nears

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice

A look at Auburn football practice