Auburn’s linebacker group has a chance to be special in 2026, but De’Marcus Reddick may be the piece that determines just how high that ceiling goes.
When fall camp opens Wednesday, the Tigers still have plenty to sort through before the season opener against Baylor on September 5th in Atlanta. But one thing is already clear: DJ Durkin is back running the defense, and most of the linebacker room is back with him. That gives Auburn a unit with real upside, and maybe the best linebacker depth in college football if everything comes together.
Reddick is the swing factor. If the Clanton, Alabama junior gets back to the level he showed early in his Auburn career, he could become one of the most important players on the defense.
Shoulder injuries derailed his 2025 season and raised questions about how quickly he can contribute this year. Still, his decision to stay in Auburn instead of entering the transfer portal matters.
It keeps a loaded room even deeper and gives the Tigers another athletic piece to deploy.
The numbers tell the story of how much injuries changed his trajectory. Reddick earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2024 after posting 27 tackles, 3 sacks, and 5 tackles for a loss. Last season, while not fully healthy, he finished with just 13 tackles and one sack.
The good news for Auburn is that he doesn’t have to carry the load immediately. Xavier Atkins is the headliner, and Elijah Melendez and Bryce Deas both showed last season they can play at a high level. That kind of depth gives Auburn options, and it also means Reddick can work his way back without being forced straight into the starting lineup.
But if he does return to full strength, he changes the equation. Auburn would have another linebacker capable of making game-changing plays, and that kind of talent is hard to keep off the field.
With the Alex Golesh era starting and a tough schedule ahead, Auburn needs as many ready-made contributors as possible from the jump. The SEC looks top-heavy again, but if the Tigers get breakout seasons from the players positioned for them, they’ll have a real chance to catch some teams off guard.
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