It is not often that a team gets a handful of younger talents that could make a big difference on the field, but for the Auburn Tigers, there is a major opportunity to do that in 2026.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AUBURN UNDERCOVER’S LIMITED TIME SUBSCRIPTION SPECIAL
The defensive side of the football was a positive for the Tigers in the chaos that was the 2025 season, and having many of those players returning, Auburn has a chance to elevate that strength even higher.
It’s a possibility that is evident to someone like sophomore Blake Woodby, who since Alex Golesh has arrived as the head coach, has seen a shift in the vibe of the team.
“The vibe is definitely on the up and up,” Woodby said. “I’ve had a time great since Coach Golesh has got here. He’s put a lot of structure into the team. He’s made as if, ‘I’m the leader, I want you guys to follow and I’ve got a plan in place and I’ve proven myself in different spots.’ When you look at things like that and you understand the things he’s done in previous spots, his work, everybody believes in him and is following the line.”
Woodby is part of a sophomore class that is riddled with future stardom, including guys like Elijah Melendez, Jeremiah Koger, Eric Winters, Jared Smith, Omar Mabson and more.
Having that vibe shift with Golesh as the leader and the knowledge of their potential, Woodby has seen an increase in one area that has him optimistic of the place the team is in.
“The competition,” Woodby said. “I’m a very competitive person and I don’t think anybody likes to lose, but I hate losing more than I like winning. I also believe that two years prior, we all went to high schools where we were winning games, and we stepped into a situation last year where we didn’t win as much as we wanted to. Nobody likes that feeling and nobody likes to feel like we’re not doing enough. I feel like my group of guys and my class has taken that ownership.”
Specifically on the defensive side of the ball through this preseason camp, Woodby has seen his teammates come together and put in hard work.
He’s exhilerated about that, saying it will help the team as a whole in the long run.
“I’m seeing a resilient group of guys,” Woodby said. “We’ve got a lot of returners. We’ve also got a lot of guys that left some spaces that we need to fill. We’re all coming together and we’re all just one. Nobody’s a black sheep, nobody has stepped out of line and didn’t want to do.”
Woodby has been tested out some in the nickel corner spot, allowing him a lot more versatility of how he is able to play.
Just like the rest of the defense, that test is helping him continue to increase his competitive spirit. Anything he sees the coaches needing him to do, he will do it. As a result, Woodby is excited for what this season could bring for him.
“It’s been great,” Woodby said. “I’m a football guy. I’ll do anything that will help the team win and I would like to think I’m one of the best man-to-man coverage guys on the team. I’ve definitely been put in a position where they feel like star is good for me and outside is good for me and whatever they need me to do, I’m going to do it.”
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
