As Auburn football turns the page toward 2026, the Tigers are entering a pivotal chapter-one shaped by fresh leadership, renewed energy, and a roster full of potential. With Alex Golesh now at the helm and a new coaching staff in place, the program is looking to reset after an up-and-down 2025 campaign. And while much of the spotlight will naturally fall on Golesh and his offensive philosophy, the real story could be on the other side of the ball.
Auburn’s defense features several players who are not just looking to contribute-they’re looking to prove something. Whether it's bouncing back from injury, regaining early-career form, or capitalizing on new opportunities, these defenders have a lot riding on the 2026 season. Let’s break down three names to keep a close eye on as the Tigers rebuild their identity under new leadership.
Kaleb Harris, Safety - A Bounce-Back Year in the Making?
Kaleb Harris has already shown flashes of what he can be-a rangy, instinctive safety with a nose for the football. But after a promising freshman season, his sophomore year didn’t quite hit the same notes. Harris still managed 38 tackles, a pass breakup, and an interception, but the drop in his Pro Football Focus grade-from 78.0 to 66.7-tells a deeper story about his struggles in coverage, especially downfield.
Harris allowed 273 yards in coverage with 141 of those coming after the catch, pointing to some issues with positioning and recovery speed. But context matters. He was playing under a different safeties coach, and the scheme didn’t always seem to put him in the best spots to succeed.
Now enters Tim Banks, the new safeties coach on Golesh’s staff, and with him comes a fresh slate. Banks has a track record of developing defensive backs, and Harris could be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
If Harris can clean up his deep coverage responsibilities and regain the confidence he played with as a freshman-when he racked up 48 tackles and three pass breakups-he could re-establish himself as a key piece in Auburn’s secondary. Year three is often the turning point for defensive backs, and Harris has all the tools to make it count.
Demarcus Riddick, LB - Ready to Reclaim His Momentum
When Demarcus Riddick is healthy, he looks like a prototypical SEC linebacker-fast, physical, and disruptive. Unfortunately, health was the main storyline of his sophomore season. After a strong freshman year that saw him record 27 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble, expectations were sky-high heading into 2025.
But injuries limited his availability, and even though he managed to start five games, his production dipped to 13 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, and two pass breakups. It wasn’t the breakout year many envisioned, but the flashes were still there.
Riddick’s decision to sit out Auburn’s final two games was strategic-giving him time to heal and gear up for a big offseason. Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin believes he’ll be ready to go for fall camp, and if that holds true, Riddick could be a major factor in Auburn’s front seven.
His ability to shoot gaps, cover in space, and bring pressure off the edge makes him a versatile weapon in any defensive scheme. With a full offseason to get healthy and re-integrate, Riddick is poised to remind everyone why he was such a highly touted recruit in the first place.
Rayshawn Pleasant, DB - From Transfer to Potential CB1
When Rayshawn Pleasant transferred in from Tulane, he was expected to provide depth and special teams value. What Auburn got instead was a playmaker who made his presence felt in multiple phases of the game.
Pleasant finished the 2025 season with 11 solo tackles, two interceptions, and a pick-six against Arkansas-a highlight-reel moment that showed just how dangerous he can be when he gets his hands on the ball. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown in Auburn’s season opener against Baylor, flashing the kind of speed and vision that makes him a threat every time he touches the ball.
Now, with Jay Crawford and Kayin Lee entering the transfer portal, Pleasant is in line to compete for the CB1 role. That’s a big leap, but he’s already shown he can handle the spotlight. His instincts in coverage, combined with his ball skills and return ability, make him one of the more intriguing players on Auburn’s roster heading into next season.
The challenge for Pleasant will be consistency. Can he lock down top SEC receivers week in and week out?
Can he become the leader of a secondary that’s undergoing significant change? If the answer is yes, Auburn may have found a gem in the transfer portal.
As Auburn reshapes its identity under Alex Golesh, the defense will be a key storyline to watch. For Kaleb Harris, Demarcus Riddick, and Rayshawn Pleasant, 2026 isn’t just another season-it’s an opportunity to take a leap, silence doubts, and help anchor a new era of Tigers football.