50 Auburn players fans should know: Transfer RB compares himself to Marshawn Lynch
This player called himself "shifty with a little power" and is one of three transfer portal additions fighting for a spot in Auburn's three-back rotation this fall.
Olivia Bennett 
EDITOR’S NOTE: With the unofficial kickoff of the football preseason approaching at SEC Media Days on July 20, 205focus.com is spotlighting one Auburn football player each day. We continue our series today with running back Tae Meadows.
Tae Meadows: 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, Roanoke, Alabama
As Auburn football prepares for fall camp, which kicks off in the first week of August, the program faces a fierce competition in the backfield. Among the three running backs added via the transfer portal, Troy transfer Tae Meadows stands out as one of the most intriguing arrivals.
Bringing Power and Shiftiness to the Plains
Meadows arrives in Auburn after a productive three-year stint at Troy, where he tallied 695 rushing yards and six touchdowns during the 2025 campaign. He was part of a balanced offensive attack that saw four different players eclipse the 600-yard mark on the ground, including Jeremiah Cobb, Bryson Washington, and Nykahi Davenport.
The Roanoke native is thrilled to be competing for the Tigers. Reflecting on his journey this spring, Meadows said, "Man, it’s a blessing. I can’t even lie. I dreamed about playing at this school, since I was a little kid. It’s been a good experience so far."
When asked to describe his playing style, Meadows didn't mince words: "I’ll say I’m shifty. Shifty with a little power. Marshawn Lynch-type."
A Fight for the Rotation
During his time at Troy, Meadows maintained a solid 4.4 yards per carry average. He notably set the tone early in 2025, dominating the line of scrimmage with a 186-yard, one-touchdown performance against Nicholls in the season opener.
Auburn coach Alex Golesh has been impressed with what he has seen from Meadows throughout the spring as the staff looks to establish a reliable three-back rotation for the upcoming season.
"Tae Meadows has a really cool skill set. He’s got incredible vision. Those guys are continuing to fight, and that’s what’s so awesome in that room is there’s so much competition," Golesh said. "We’ll get it to where -- you really need three-and-a-half guys going into the season, and those guys are going to continue to fight. Some highs, some lows. I think that group has shown some positives. They’ve got to go take another step, and that’s in everything."
