50 Auburn players fans should know: Meet the Tigers most promising defensive weapon for 2026

EDITOR’S NOTE: As we count down to the SEC Media Days on July 20, 205focus.com is spotlighting a key Auburn football player each day. Today, we turn our attention to defensive back Rayshawn Pleasant.

5-foot-11, 200 pounds, West Monroe, Louisiana

Since his arrival in Auburn, Auburn defensive back Rayshawn Pleasant has proven to be a game-changer. Fans vividly remember his electric 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Baylor in 2025, a moment that cemented his status as one of the Tigers' most dynamic playmakers.

Aiming for More

Pleasant isn't satisfied with just one highlight. Following the team's season opener last year, he made his ambitions clear: "I feel like I have a lot more. I’ve got a feeling I’m going to have a lot of pick-sixes; that’s my main goal. I know I can do it on kick returns, I’ve been doing it my whole life, played offense my whole life."

He proved he could deliver on that promise during a stellar outing against Arkansas last November, where he recorded two interceptions, including a 49-yard return for a touchdown. That performance earned him the Jim Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week. According to Pro Football Focus, he graded out at 95.5 and allowed zero catches against the Razorbacks.

Commitment to the Tigers

After transferring from Tulane, Pleasant started two games for the Tigers last season, contributing 16 tackles and three pass deflections. As he looks to evolve into a permanent fixture in the Auburn secondary, Pleasant emphasized his dedication to the program.

"I felt like I owed it to these boys to come back. I owed it to these fans," Pleasant said. "It’s been a long drought, and they’ve been supportive of us. I’ve transferred once, but I’m a big guy on just staying committed to a place. I was a big fan of Coach (Alex) Golesh, me being a (former) G5 guy. I feel like it was only right for me to give them a chance to get my best and stay there for them."

A Leader in the Secondary

With new cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Van Dyke leading the room, Pleasant has emerged as a vital veteran voice. Alongside returning sophomores Blake Woodby and Devin Williams, he is a cornerstone of the secondary.

Van Dyke has high expectations for the defensive back, noting his leadership and physical tools. "I think the thing with Rayshawn is just the more opportunities he has on the field, the more production he’ll have," Van Dyke said. "He has the tools. He’s fast, good ball skills and good change of direction. He’s a leader on and off the field and he’s kind of like the coach in the room with me."