The Auburn Tigers coaching staff is looking to identify locker room leaders and culture-setters.
are in the midst of spring practice, and the new coaching staff is continuing to identify who the locker room leaders and culture setters will be as the large volume of USF transfers looks to mesh with the remaining former Tigers still on the roster.
Deas has been a highly vocal presence during practices so far, continuing Auburn’s recent tradition of young linebackers stepping into prominent team roles. Demarcus Riddick did much of the same last season before suffering an injury, and junior “Oh man, it’s been great,” said Deas. “I love to be watched, because, you know, it keeps me on my stuff, you know what I’m saying? Keeping the young guys right, it keeps me right naturally, so it's been great leading the young guys. I mean, we’ve got great, great young linebackers. Even just on the defense, we’ve got amazing young guys.” Deas played meaningful minutes as a freshman, recording 12 tackles and two pass deflections. It was extremely clear that the former four-star has the athleticism to play the position at a high level, but the technique needed a bit of work.“It really allows me to have that confidence, you know what I’m saying, because coming in young, you know, young guys don’t always have the confidence to lead,” Deas said. “But yeah, it just allows me to have that confidence and go out there and be vocal.” The linebacking corps certainly profiles to be the strongest group for Auburn in 2026, with at least four players that could all be plus contributors for the defense. Atkins will be the expected starter after his electric 2025 season, and Riddick will look to rebound to his 2024 form after missing the majority of 2025 due to a shoulder injury. The other two strong players in the unit are Deas and Elijah Melendez, who are both elite athletes for the position. Both players have been developing as technicians this offseason, and should be able to provide plus play for the unit as well. In an age where teams are using as few as two linebackers at a time, having four high-quality players at the position should be an extremely valuable asset for the defense to keep the entire rotation fresh. Additionally, with three of the four top players at the position looking like leaders, they can be an anchoring presence on a defense that saw a lot of offseason portal churn in both the defensive front and the secondary. That strong group would help establish Alex Golesh’sMicah is a Journalism major with a Sports Production Option. He has written college football, basketball, and baseball for Eagle Eye TV and WEGL 91.1, among others. He has also created a podcast centered around college football.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hard-Hitting Linebacker Will Have Predraft Visit With Packers“If you hit somebody hard, they’re going to feel that. And then that next play, they’re going to be worried about you and not even thinking about what they’ve got to do.”
Read more »
Live Updates From Sewell-Thomas Stadium As Alabama Baseball Looks To Sweep AuburnScore updates and analysis from Sewell-Thomas Stadium as the Crimson Tide tries to sweep the No. 5 Tigers.
Read more »
How Auburn's 'Natural Chemistry' Can Bloom Into an Explosive OffenseThe Auburn Tigers could see an exciting offense in 2026.
Read more »
In-State QB Recruit Talks Recent Visit to AuburnAuburn Tigers are targeting multiple recruits from Wetumpka High School.
Read more »
How local GOP officials are embracing Trump’s tactics to hunt for voter fraudLocal GOP officials are taking aggressive steps to probe prior elections that mimic actions from the Trump administration’s hunt for 2020 voter fraud.
Read more »
Commanders Not Ruling Out Bobby Wagner Reunion Despite Latest Linebacker MovesA new core is emerging in the Washington Commanders locker room, even as the door remains open for a veteran linebacker.
Read more »