Mock game week has arrived on the Plains as the Auburn Tigers and Alex Golesh turn their full attention to their season opener against Baylor on Sept. 5.
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Each practice is now about preparation and formulating a plan for success in Atlanta, one Auburn is hopeful will pay off by the end of the game.
Auburn Undercover’s Impacting Auburn series welcomes another player to the list of athletes the website’s staff believes will be a major part in the Tigers’ performance this season.
As a disclaimer, the poll was tabulated by rankings sent in from four people on the Auburn Undercover staff—Tyler Raley, Ryan Bartow, Caleb Jones and Jay Douglas. The rankings each person sent in were averaged, with the lowest score going at the top of the list.
Coming in at No. 13 is a senior in the program that is determined to make his mark in his final year, wanting to come up big in crucial moments. That senior is none other than Rayshawn Pleasant.
General information:
Year: Senior
Position: Cornerback
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 200 pounds
Hometown: West Monroe, Louisiana
Performance in 2025:
Pleasant did not exactly get the big key role he was looking for in 2025, playing in 11 of Auburn’s 12 games and only gaining two starts out of that. However, he took away some big moments.
After two years at Tulane, Pleasant’s first season with the Tigers saw him turn in 16 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup, two interceptions and one touchdown on defense.
His most productive game in terms of tackles was against the Oklahoma Sooners, when he put up a season-high six tackles in the game. However, it can be argued that his overall most influential performance was against Arkansas, as while he had just one tackle, both of his interceptions came in the game, with one of them going back for a touchdown.
Pleasant also served as the team’s primary kick returner on special teams, where his performance placed him second in the SEC in kick return yards at 412 and average per game at 24.24.
In last year’s season opener against Baylor in Waco, Texas, Pleasant returned a kick 98 yards for a touchdown, marking his third score on a kick return in his college career.
Pleasant’s performance earned him on Phil Steele’s Second Team All-SEC and a First Team selection by Pro Football & Sports Network.
Preseason camp intel:
With Pleasant’s final preseason camp having wrapped up, there is a lot he can look back on. One thing is for certain though, and that is that he’s been held accountable in everything he does.
The senior is in a deep secondary with multiple guys rotating through all five spots, including fellow senior Champ Anthony.
Pleasant is in the running to be a potential starter at the corner position. However, he has been showing up just simply wanting to be a better player.
“The coaches and players in here hold me accountable each and every day,” Pleasant said. “I just control what I can control each and every day and came out here to try and get better.”
Pleasant got a bit of experience in SEC action during the 2025 campaign, something he thinks has helped him in his development.
Now knowing the potential that he has and the leadership he is taking on, Pleasant is excited for what he can do in 2026.
“I feel like the more and more I’m on the field, the more opportunities and chances I’ve got to make plays and do what I can do for this program,” Pleasant said.
Pleasant will continue to be a factor on special teams as well though according to special teams coordinator Jacob Bronowski.
Bronowski has been building confidence within the senior, and because of that, he feels more touchdowns are in store for the coming year.
“I feel like I’m going to be a big difference in the special teams,” Pleasant said.
Impacting Auburn ranking
No. 13 - Rayshawn Pleasant
No. 14 - Alex McPherson
No. 15 - Cole Best
No. 16 - Eric Winters
No. 17 - AnQuon Fegans
No. 18 - Omar Mabson II
No. 19 - Jake Johnson
No. 20 - Sylvester Smith-Reed
What do you say? Leave your thoughts on our board below.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
